The Alabama Experiment Station system evaluates variety performance of several crop species
each year. Ryegrass studies were conducted in 2017 through 2018 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 2017 – 2018 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 Tallassee, no useful trial data was taken due to slow emergence, then weeds outgrew
ryegrass.