Breeding new forage variety of cocksfoot named Qiancao No.4

Cocksfoot is one of the important grass species for grassland animal husbandry development in Guizhou. Big requirement for this forage enable professionals to breed new varieties with high yield and quality. A breeding method named onehybrid selection method had been used to breed the new cocksfoot variety from the Nayong cocksfoot, and this new variety was named Qiancao No.4 cockfoot. The Qian No.4 cocksfoot had been identified as a new forage variety by the Crop Varieties Appraisal Committee in Guizhou, and had been numbered No.2009001. The fresh yield of this new forage variety was the highest from 2006 to 2008 in Guizhou Province, reaching 63 091.5 kg/hm2, which was higher than Nayong cocksfoot with 51 040.51 kg/hm2 and Baoxing cocksfoot with 54 695.67 kg/hm2, increasing by 23.6% and 15.35%, respectively. The crude protein and crude fat content of Qiancao No.4 cocksfoot was significantly higher than that of Nayong cocksfoot, increasing by 15.78% and 5.83% respectively. Qian No.4 cocksfoot grew faster, and its average growth rate was 2.77 cm/d, which was significantly faster than that of Nayong cocksfoot (1.91 cm/d) and Baoxing cocksfoot (2.34 cm/d). The objectives, selection process, yield performance, characteristics, cultivation techniques and suitable planting areas of Qiancao No.4 cocksfoot was summarized in this paper, which would provide useful information for development and utilization of this variety.