Rye (Secale cereale L.)

Origin:

Use:  Grazing, cover crop

Plant Description

  • General:  Bunchgrass that is approximately 4' tall at maturity
  • Life Span:  annual
  • Growth Form:  upright

Management

  • Seeding Rate: 2-2.5 bu/A (grazing)
  • Seedling Vigor:  Excellent
  • Planting Date:  Grazing:  October 1-15 for Piedmont and Coastal Plain; September 1-15 for Limestone Valley
  • Planting Depth:  1-1 1/2"
  • Grazing Tolerance: Good
  • Desirable pH: More tolerant to acidity than wheat or oats
  • Drainage Requirements:  Fair tolerance to poor drainage
  • Soil Texture: Broad range, but prefers lighter soils than wheat or oats
  • Drought Tolerance:  Fair
  • Season of Use: Late fall and early spring

General:

  • Rye is a popular crop for overseeding warm season pastures because of early spring production
  • Seed costs can be high and seed quality is often a problem; check germination of seed and treat with a fungicide if possible
  • More cold hardly than either wheat, oats, or ryerass


ID Features:

  • Rye has small or medium sized auricles that are not hairy. Leaf sheaths are normally hairy. Leaves are more blue green and less erect than other small grains


Special Notes:

  • Like arrowleaf clover, seedlings can turn a reddish color when stressed