Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. westerwoldicum L.)
Westerwolds ryegrass is an annual grass that is sown early in the spring and can deliver a high production under conditions that are not too dry. It greatly appreciates nitrogen fertilization. Leafy varieties are available, especially in the 1st cut, as diploid as well as for the tetraploid varieties. Westerwolds ryegrass does have the disadvantage that it continues to bolt from the first cut, so that the nutritional value drops quickly if the crop continues to grow for too long.
With early stubble sowing and favorable weather conditions, Westerwolds ryegrass can give two more cuts in the autumn, one for green fodder production and the second for green manure. Westerwolds is particularly suitable for haymaking but is sensitive to compaction by heavy machinery.
The table below summarizes the main characteristics of the Westerwolds ryegrass varieties currently on the Belgian variety list.
Main characteristics of Westerwolds ryegrass varieties
Variety | Year of admission | Average date of flowering | Juvenile growth (1-9)2 | Regrowth (1-9)2 | Rust resistance (1-9)2 | DM yield as main crop3 | DM yield as second crop3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploid | |||||||
| MENDOZA | 2001 | late | 7,8 | 7,8 | 6,5 | 99 | 95 |
| MELSEMPER | 2011 | semi late | 7,6 | 8,6 | 7,5 | 100 | 103 |
| MELWORLD | 2004 | semi late | 7,5 | 8,6 | 7,2 | 105 | 101 |
| Tetraploid | |||||||
| LEMNOS | 1992 | semi late | 8,4 | 7,3 | 6,4 | 96 | 101 |
| MELMONDO4 | 2003 | late / very late | 8,2 | - | 5,8 | - | 100 |
2 The higher the number, the better
3 100 = average of all varieties on the Belgian variety list
4 Only tested as second crop
Main characteristics of Westerwolds ryegrass varieties (PDF)