Hybrid Ryegrass (Lolium hybridum)
Description
Hybrid ryegrass species are very similar to annual ryegrass, except their longevity can extend up to 3 years, depending on the variety and climate conditions. Depending on variety, they can be very fast to establish. Both diploid and tetraploid varieties exist.
Strengths
High yields; Similar to annual and perennial ryegrasses; cost effective for short-term, multi-year applications.
Limitations
Similar to annual and perennial ryegrasses.
General
- Longevity
- Short-lived perennial
- Growth Habit
- Bunch
- Primary Growth Seasons
- Spring, fall
- Plant Height (in cm)
- 30 - 60
- Seeds (per lb)
- 237,000
- Seedling Vigor
- Excellent
Climate and Soil Tolerances
- Heat/Drought
- Poor
- Cold
- Poor - Good
- Wet Soil/Poor Drainage
- Good
- Salinity
- Fair
- High pH Alkalinity
- Fair
- Low pH Acidity
- Good
Fertility Requirements
- Optimum pH
- 6.0 - 6.5
- Required Fertility Levels
- Medium - High
Performance Potential
- Feed Value/Quality
- Very High
- Palatability
- Excellent
- Digestibility
- Excellent
- Crude Protein
- High
- Tonnage (Yield)
- High
- Nitrogen Fixation (lbs/ac/year)
- -
Use/Application
- Continuous Grazing
- Good
- Rotational Grazing
- Excellent
- Hay
- Good - Excellent
- Silage
- Excellent
Seeding Rates (HG/HA)
- Pure Stand
- 28 to 39.2
- Hay mixture (with legumes)
- 3.4 to 5.6
- Hay mixture (with grasses)
- 11.2 to 28