Scientists Develop Hybrid Grasses that Help Prevent Flooding
Scientists claim climate change will result in more extreme weather patterns – hotter, drier weather contrasting with periods of intense rainfall. This means farmers need to plan ahead to grow forage which can cope with both drought and flood – and one research department is developing exactly that.
Sureroot, a five-year project researching the benefits of hybrid grasses called festuloliums, has found drought, cold and flood resistance can reduce water run off by up to 50 per cent – compared to perennial rye-grass – through better rooting and soil structure.
Now in its second year, the project is holding farm trials to see if festuloliums can work well in ruminant and mono-gastric systems.
CAFNR