RHY GRASS
BOTANICAL NAME | Secale cereale | |
TYPE | Temperate, Cereal grain | |
PRODUCTION PERIOD | Annual, Spring & winter | |
MORPHOLOGICAL
DESCRIPTION |
Tall, hardy, tufted grass, 1.2 – 2m tall | |
Stems ascending when young, becomes more erect when older | ||
Oblong shaped seeds; light brown; 0.8cm long.
30 000 – 45 000 seeds/kg |
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CROP | Strengths: | Quick short-duration rye with high leaf to stem ratio |
More volume, more production than oats | ||
Feeding value: | Crude protein: 6 – 22%
Digestibility: 53 – 63% |
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Production potential: | Dry matter production: 5 – 12t/ha/annum | |
Uses: | Grazing, hay, silage, grain production & rotational crop | |
Soil requirements: | Grows best on well-drained loamy soils | |
Tolerates sandy soils, pH range of 4.5 – 8.0 | ||
Establishment: | Plant during February – May | |
Seeding rate at 25 – 50kg/ha dryland and 50 -70kg/ha Irrigated |