| Scientific name: | Lolium perenne L. |
| Cultivars: | Many Medium to later maturing: Endograze XL, Kentaur, Polin, Payday |
| Origin: | Europe, southern |
| Growth Habit: | Bunch type |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial |
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| Use |
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| Production: | Excellent spring, summer or fall productivity |
| Nutritive Value: | Superior |
| Herbaria Image: | Click this link |
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| Identification |
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| Seed Head: | Slender spike |
| Seed: | 1/4", oblong. Awns not present on perennial ryegrass, only annual. |
| Shoot: | Multiple leaves early |
| Leaf: | Dark green, smooth. Prominent parallel veins. |
| Auricles: | Small |
| Ligule: | Short |
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| Adaptation |
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| Soil: | Fertile, well-drained soil. Can tolerate flooding. |
| pH: | 5.6-6.2 |
| Moisture: | Tolerates flooding in temperatures below 80°. |
| Temperature: | 68-77°F. Prefers spring and fall, will go dormant in hot summers. Can tolerate winters but harsh winters may kill it, so it can be considered a short-term perennial in harsher climates. |
| Other: | |
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| Establishment - Management |
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| Seeding rate: | 20-25 lb/acre; for seed mixtures: 2 lb/acre |
| Seed cost: | $0.9 to 1.8/lb; ~$20 to 45/acre; ~$2 to 4/acre (mixes) |
| Planting date: | Early spring |
| Planting depth: | Less than 1/4 inch |
| Frost seeding: | Yes. In March into closely grazed pasture in previous Fall |
| Fertilization: | 60 Lb N/acre, P and K (as needed per soil test) all applied at planting |
| Grazing: | 6 to 8 inches of growth before grazing. Stubble height: 3 to 4 inches |
| Hay: | Dries slowly |
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| Notes |
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