Variety traits

Plant height — Italian ryegrass

Lolium multiflorum Lam.

An important morphological trait, varying from 20 to 120 cm depending on the cultivar's biological form and growing conditions. Plant height is directly related to harvest timing, nutritional value, and the intensity of sward utilization.

In the reference 58 varieties crop Italian ryegrass, where this is mentioned in the description.

For Italian ryegrass, plant height during the full heading or early flowering stage usually ranges from 50 to 90 cm. Measurement is taken from the soil surface to the top of the inflorescence. This indicator is highly dependent on the type of use: plants 50–60 cm in height are characteristic of intensive grazing, whereas heights of 80–120 cm are achieved under haymaking conditions with high soil fertility and irrigation.

Sward height serves as an indicator of maturity: as growth progresses, the proportion of stems increases and the forage becomes coarser, which reduces protein content and digestibility. To maintain nutritional quality, mowing should be performed before maximum height is reached, during the booting or early heading stage. Furthermore, tall-growing forms under excessive nitrogen fertilization are prone to lodging, which complicates mechanized harvesting.

General information about the subject — on the page Plant height.

Sources8

Varieties of Italian ryegrass mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.