Perennial Rye Grass (Lolium perenne):

• It is perennial non-leguminous crop/pasture mostly found in cold mountain/hilly region of Nepal.
• It gives continuous production for 5-10 years, if managed well.
• Since, they can tolerate animal bite/stamping, they are mostly used as pasture cultivars for grazing animal.

Climate and altitude:

• It needs cold temperature. It requires temperature of 17°C during flowering.
• Annual rainfall should be 1000-2000 mm.
• It can be cultivated successfully in Nepal from 1200-3500 m asl.

Soil:

• It can be grown in any type of soil that have cold moisture.
• However, it grows best in clayey silty loam soil.

Land preparation:

• Land should be prepared by 3-4 ploughing and making soil friable.

Seed rate: 10-15 kg/ha

Sowing season:

• In mountain Region: Chaitra/Baisakh (April)
• In Mid-Hills Region: Jestha/Ashad (June- Mid. July)
• In irrigated areas: Ashwin/Kartik

Method of sowing:

• Seeds are broadcasted and animal can be grazed upto 1 week after sowing. It mixes well in soil.
• Seeds are sown making 1-2 meter patches where land is plown.
• In slopy land, seeds are shown in contours.

Fertilizer Dose:

• Chemical manure; NPK @ 50:60:40 kg/ha

Irrigation:

• Depends on soil moisture
• Newly planted seeds requires frequent irrigation
• Established grass will need irrigation 2-3 times a week

Harvesting Time:

• First cutting can be obtained after 5-6 months of sowing.
• Then subsequent cutting can be obtained at 1-month interval.
• 8-10 cuttings can be obtained within a year.

Production:

• Green fodder: 40-60 MT/ha
• Seed production: 100-150 kg/ha; under improved farming seed production can reaches upto 400 kg/ha

Varieties: more than 26 varieties are present; Washtion, Lymus, Lamora, Ranui, Peramo, Belida, Meltra, Allstar, Kangaroo Bheli

Nutrient Content of Rye Grass: