The Alabama Experiment Station system evaluates variety performance of several crop species each year. Ryegrass studies were conducted in 2018 through 2019 at four locations across the state representing the northeast, central, southeast, and southwestern regions. The entries evaluated are chosen by private company, university, and federal staff. It is the mission of the experiment station to evaluate and present the data in a fair, unbiased manner that can be used by all sectors of industry and education.
Methods
Ryegrass entries were seeded at 20 lb/acre in 7‐inch rows (Table 1). Plots were 5 x 20 ft with three to four replications of each entry arranged in a randomized complete block experimental design. The 2018 – 2019 trials were conducted at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, Fairhope; E.V. Smith Research Center, Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee; Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center, Crossville; and the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Headland.
Soil fertility was maintained at each location according to Auburn University soil test recommendations. At planting, nitrogen was applied at 50 lb/acre, with an additional 50 lb/acre N applied after each cutting. When the ryegrass reached a height of 6 to 10 inches, a plot forage harvester was used to cut the plants to 1 to 2 inches. According to the location, a section 32‐ or 49‐in wide X 20 ft long from each plot was harvested. Dry matter yield was determined by drying subsamples from each variety and then calculated using fresh and dry weights.
At Crossville, the trial was not planted due to excessive rainfall and soil moisture throughout the planting season.
The Tallassee trial was subjected to excessive rainfall and saturated soil conditions, preventing timely harvests. Data from the trial will not be reported due to low yields and high variability.