Dry matter production and persistence of summer brassicas in North Canterbury

Developed by PGG Wrightson Seeds under the Forage Innovations joint venture with Plant and Food Research, Pallaton Raphno is a hybrid between kale (brassica oleracea) and radish (raphanus sativa). 

Pallaton Raphno has higher potential total yields, exceptional regrowth potential and greater water use efficiency when compared with forage rapes and leafy turnips. Pallatons greater drought tolerance and persistence under multiple grazings makes it a perfect fit in many dry stock farm systems. 

Trial Summary

During the 2019/20 season a trial comparing Pallaton Raphno, rape and leafy turnip was sown in Cheviot, North Canterbury. Depsite 6 weeks without rain during summer, Pallaton produced 8.5 tDM/ha across the three grazings. This was 50% more feed than both leafy turnip (5.6 tDM/ha) and forage rape (5.5 tDM/ha).

Pallaton proved its ability to tolerate hard grazings and sustained periods without rainfall with superior plant persistence over leafy turnip and rapes. 

Under severe drought conditions and three grazings, over 48% of Pallaton plants survived compared with only 24% of forage rape and 8% of leafy turnip plants.