Variety traits

Plant height — Perennial ryegrass

Lolium perenne L.

The plant height of perennial ryegrass is a key morphological trait, ranging from 15 to 70 cm, which determines the suitability of the crop for grazing or hay production.

In the reference 237 varieties crop Perennial ryegrass, where this is mentioned in the description.

To evaluate perennial ryegrass, a distinction is made between the height of the vegetative sward and the height of the reproductive flowering stems. Measurements are recorded at the stage of full maturity or at harvest in centimeters, while indirect methods, such as the use of plate meters, are often employed to estimate biomass.

Plant height directly influences the economic use of the crop, as ryegrass is a low-growing grass whose value lies in its high leafiness and resistance to grazing. Excessively tall forms are less adapted to intensive grazing, and management of sward height is necessary to prevent stem lignification and maintain nutritional value.

The height indicator is significantly influenced by nitrogen nutrition levels, moisture availability, and varietal characteristics. Height also determines the competitive ability of the crop in grass mixtures and the frequency of mowing, allowing for the effective utilization of grazing areas throughout the growing season.

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

Sources8

Varieties of Perennial 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.