Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass

Tetraploid annual ryegrass is a bunch type grass that is grown across the United States. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types and soil pH conditions and is commonly grown as a high-quality forage or as a quick growing cover crop. Interestingly, tetraploid cultivars have twice as many chromosomes as their diploid counterparts meaning more genetic material for plant breeders to work with. This type has wider leaves, more robust growth than standard ryegrasses, and has higher forage quality. Its dry matter digestibility is generally greater than 65% and its crude protein content exceeds the requirements for most classes of livestock animal gains.