Ryegrass | DairyNZ

Ryegrass is a common pasture type.

Ryegrass plants are made up of several parts called tillers, each of which have a growing point from which new leaves are produced.

The growing point is found at the base of the tiller, very close to the soil surface. Because of this it is rarely damaged during grazing, which allows the tiller to keep growing after grazing. Each tiller will have three live leaves and one or more dying leaves at any one time.

Most perennial ryegrass plants in New Zealand pastures contain a fungus called endophyte that grows inside the plant and is passed to the next generation via the seed.

Endophyte protects the plant from insect attack but can also cause animal health problems. Sowing treated seed in insect-prone areas is essential to protect seedlings for a few weeks after germination when the endophyte is not active against insects.

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