Maru Phalaris

• Better establishment vigour
• Reduced alkaloid content (associated with phalaris staggers)
• Most salt-tolerant phalaris

Productive and persistent semi erect phalaris with lower alkaloids and increased saline tolerance. Grasslands MARU phalaris was bred from a line of phalaris from Argentina. It is similar in habit to Australian phalaris, but has better seedling vigour and lower alkaloid levels giving reduced risk of phalaris staggers. Alkaloid measurements were taken during autumn-early winter on 2 occasions during cultivar development. Each time MARU had alkaloid levels between 0.1 and 0.2% (dry weight) compared to Australian cultivars which were over 2%. (Rumball, 1980). It has performed well in all moderate rainfall phalaris regions >500mm and is an excellent replacement for Australian phalaris. In Australian trials MARU has shown better salt tolerance compared to other phalaris cultivars. For high salinity situations EC > 4 ds/m it should be sown in a mix with Dundas tall wheat grass.

MANAGEMENT TIPS

• Maru is best sown as a component of a perennial pasture mix.
• In low rainfall areas (500 - 550mm) it should be sown at 3kg/ha, with 1kg/ha Tekapo cocksfoot, plus Goulburn sub clover.
• In moderate rainfall areas (550 - 700mm) it should be sown in a 50/50 mix with Holdfast phalaris (4kg/ha total), plus Goulburn and Leura sub clover.
• In high rainfall areas (600 - 750mm) it should be sown in a mix with Resolute winter active tall fescue (4kg/ha total), plus Leura sub clover.
• In heavy or wet soils or under summer rainfall it should be sown at 2kg/ha with Quantum tall fescue (7kg/ha) plus Leura sub clover, Tahora white clover, Bolta Balansa and Upward strawberry clover.
• In moderately saline areas (550 - 700mm) it should be sown in a mix with Dundas tall wheat grass (5kg/ha), Quantum tall fescue (5kg/ha) plus Bolta Balansa and Upward strawberry clover.

Excellent persistence of Maru (LHS) compared to Holdfast (RHS) at
Maryborough Trial Site.

Areas of Adaptation...

Maru is well suited to sow into areas receiving a minimum of 500mm annual rainfall. It is suited to a wide range of soil types, and has performed well across south east Australia in trials. It should not be sown in soils with high levels of aluminium. It has good saline tolerance for a phalaris cultivar and can be sown as part of a mix with other salt tolerant species. Maru is a key component of Wrightson’s Saltmaster pasture blend which can be customised to specific requirements, preferably based on a soil test.