How to save ryegrass seeds

Ryegrass seeds

Ryegrass is a perennial plant with a flowering and fruiting period from May to July. Ryegrass seeds are small and are usually produced along with grass seeds.

After ryegrass seeds are collected, they need to be placed in a cool, dry place to dry and preserve. Ryegrass is divided into annual ryegrass and perennial ryegrass. The former has a lifespan of 1-2 years, and the latter has a lifespan of 4-6 years. You can keep seeds of ryegrass yourself, but the yield is low. After the ryegrass matures, use a harvester to cut the straw and seeds, remove impurities, dry them, and then package them.

Ryegrass Seed Saving

Ryegrass seeds were stored at three different temperature conditions: room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. It was found that seeds of good quality were little affected by temperature changes, while seeds of poorer quality were more affected at room temperature, and their germination rate showed a clear downward trend.

Ryegrass seed planting

Ryegrass can be planted in spring, summer and autumn. The specific time should be determined according to the climate temperature of the planting site. It is best to sow it in the warm and humid season.

1. Prepare the land and apply sufficient basal fertilizer: Ryegrass is suitable for planting in fields with flat terrain, fertile soil, and convenient irrigation and drainage. It is best to be close to a water source to facilitate summer watering. Loosen the soil in advance, dig drainage ditches, apply sufficient basal fertilizer, and improve soil fertility.

2. Timely sowing: Ryegrass is suitable for planting after the Cold Dew and before the Frost. It is generally sown by broadcasting. The seeds are soaked in warm water for 2 hours before sowing. After drying, they are mixed evenly with fine sand to facilitate early germination and uniform sowing. Rat prevention is required during sowing.

3. Strengthen field management: Rye grass needs to be watered every 1-2 days after sowing to keep the soil moist. Compound fertilizer can be applied when the seedlings grow to 6-10 cm, and fresh grass can be harvested once when they grow to 50-60 cm.