Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass Lolium Perenne L. can be utilised as the dominant/single species of grass used in a farming system across New Zealand. Perennial ryegrass is suited to medium to fertile soils and is very tolerant to a range of managements. Its persistence across New Zealand is varied due to the range of climatic conditions and farm systems that it is utilised in. The success of perennial ryegrass is often linked to its relationship with endophyte which provides insect protection and added resilience when the plant is stressed. 

Hybrid rygrass Lolium hybridum ryegrasses are crosses of perennial and Italian ryegrasses. Hybrid ryegrasses have different proportions of perennial to Italian genetics and can be broadly categorised as long rotation (more perennial-like) or short rotation (more Italian-like).

Italian ryegrasses Lolium multiflorum are natural biannuals. Unlike annuals these types typically last at least two years and are characterised by strong establishment and high levels of winter activity.

Annual ryegrasses Lolium multiflorum are characterised by their propensity to die after their reproductive phase often not surviving beyond ten months.