Introduction
The Alabama Ryegrass Variety Evaluation is a continuing evaluation of available varieties and
breeding lines from private companies and state agricultural experiment stations. Experiments are planted
annually in northern, central, and southern locations to evaluate the varieties and lines under the different
environmental conditions of Alabama. Entries in each experiment are determined by the companies or
institutes that control each variety or line, not by Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station personnel.
The experiments are conducted by experiment station personnel and the results are presented in a fair and
unbiased manner.
Procedure
Ryegrass entries were seeded at a 20-pound-per-acre rate in rows 7 inches apart, using plots 5 x 20
feet with four replications. Acceptable stands were obtained at the following locations: Sand Mountain
Research and Extension Center, Crossville; E.V. Smith Research Center, Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee;
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Headland and Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center,
Fairhope.
The experiments were fertilized with phosphorus and potassium according to Auburn University
soil test recommendations. At planting, nitrogen was applied at the rate of 50 pounds per acre, and an
additional 50 pounds of N per acre was applied after each cutting. A 32- or 49-inch swath of each plot
was harvested to a cutting height of 1 to 2 inches with a flail harvester each time the ryegrass reached
6-10 inches tall. A herbage sample of approximately 1 pound was taken from each plot at each harvest
for determining forage dry matter percentage.
