The production of perennial ryegrass and kikuyu pastures in south-eastern Australia under warmer and drier future climate scenarios

Abstract

Grazed pastures in south-eastern Australia are typically based on temperate (C3) species, such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). With predictions for warmer and drier future climates there has been growing interest in the performance of more heat tolerant and deep rooted subtropical (C4) pasture species such as kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum). This study uses an existing pasture model to investigate the production of kikuyu grass compared to the commonly used perennial ryegrass in four regions of southeastern Australia under historical and future climate scenarios. Four sites were chosen to represent a range of climatic zones and soil types within south-eastern Australia: Dookie in no..