Russian wild ryegrass for western Canada

RUSSIA'

WILD
YEGRASS

for Western Canada

.-■'

e »J> CANADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PUBLICATION 991 1966

A PASTURE GRASS FOR DRY AREAS

Russian wild ryegrass is especially useful for pasture in
the dry prairies and the semiarid interior of British Columbia.
This grass is a long-lived perennial bunchgrass with extensive
fibrous roots. It is exceptionally resistant to cold and drought.
Russian wild ryegrass is the only cultivated grass that cures
well on the stem and retains its nutritive value in the summer
and late fall. Livestock pastured on this grass make good
gains even in the fall when they tend to lose weight on most
other grasses. Russian wild ryegrass is one of the best for
farmyards and lawns that cannot be watered.

If you are going to use Russian wild ryegrass, remember:

• Sawki is the recommended variety.

• For pasture, seed in the spring in a well-prepared seedbed,
or in the late fall into clean stubble, at 5 to 6 pounds per acre
and A to 1 inch deep. In dry areas, space the rows 12 to 18
inches apart; in more moist areas, 6 to 12 inches apart. For a
seed crop, drill in rows 36 inches apart at 2 to 3 pounds per acre.

• Seed a legume with Russian wild ryegrass wherever pos-
sible. Rambler alfalfa is recommended.

• For farmyards and lawns, broadcast or drill the seed at a
heavy rate on a well-prepared seedbed.

• When grown for seed, Russian wild ryegrass makes an ideal
dual-purpose crop as the aftermath provides a nutritious, pala-
table pasture for late summer and fall.

• Seed yields may be maintained at a high level for several
years by fertilizing, removing the aftermath, and irrigating in
in dry years.

• Harvest for seed when the straw is golden yellow and the
seed is in the late milk to firm dough stage. Swathing and
threshing the seed later with a combined is recommended.

CONTENTS

Adaptation 5

Varieties 5

Seeding and Land Preparation 5

U ses and Management 6

P aslure 6

Hay 9

Farmyards and Lawns ] ]

Seed Production ] "|

Seeding 11

Fertilizing 12

Irrigating 13

Aftermath 14

Harvesting 15

Cleaning 16

Marketing. u

Other Helpful Information 17

RUSSIAN WILD RYEGRASS

for Western Canada

T. Lawrence and D.H. Heinrichs
Experimental Farm, Swift Current, Sask.

Russian wild ryegrass (Elymus junceus Fisch.) was introduced from
Siberia by the University of Saskatchewan in 1926. It was first grown at the
Experimental Farm, Swift Current, in 1936, and was distributed from there
to seed growers in Western Canada in 1949. It is an excellent pasture grass
for the southern areas of the Canadian prairies. Its good curing qualities
make it especially useful for late summer and fall grazing. The aftermath
from seed production fields is nutritious and can be used for late summer
and fall pasture.

Russian wild ryegrass is a long-lived perennial bunchgrass with ex-
tensive fibrous roots. It is very resistant to cold and drought. Seedlings
grow slower than those of crested wheatgrass and consequently it is more
difficult to establish. Once established, however, it is more persistent than
crested wheatgrass (Figure 1). The leaves of Russian wild ryegrass are
mostly basal; a few grow on the seedstalks. Seedstalks seldom form when
the grass is grown in solid seedings, but when it is grown in spaced rows
they are from 2 to 4 feet tall.

Figure 1 - Russian wild ryegrass plants (left) in a nursey were still intact
14 years after planting. Crested wheatgrass plants (right) were
dying from the centers of the clumps (arrows).

The head is a dense spike with seeds that shatter readily at maturity.
The seed is similar in size and shape to that of Summit or Nordan crested
wheatgrass but is slightly pubescent, and its tip is blunter.

ADAPTATION

Russian wild ryegrass grows wild in southeastern Siberia, Russia and
central Asia. Russian authorities describe its habitat as steppes and
steppe slopes.

In Canada, Russian wild ryegrass is well adapted to the loam and clay
soils of the prairies of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba and the semi-
arid interior of British Columbia. It is difficult to establish on sandy soils
in dry areas because the seedlings grow slowly and do not get rooted deep
enough before the surface soil dries out. Once established, however,it does
well on sandy soils. Also, this grass tolerates saline soil rather well.

VARIETIES

Sawki, is the only variety licensed for sale in Canada. It produces more
seed and slightly more forage than commercial strains. It was developed at
the Experimental Farm, Swift Current and released in January 1963.

Vinall, developed at Mandan, North Dakota, by the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, is recommended in the United States. In Canada
it is not superior to Sawki.

SEEDING AND LAND PREPARATION

Spring seeding is preferable to fall seeding. Firm the seedbed to ensure
shallow seeding. Depth controls attached to the drill discs help to seed at

Figure 2 - Attachments for drill discs to control depth of seeding. Left to
right: a plywood type to be clamped on the disc, a commercial
pie plate clamp-on type, and a flange ring spot welded to the
disc.

a uniformly shallow depth of less than one inch (Figure 2). Because Rus-
sian wild ryegrass seedlings develop slowly, destroy weeds before seeding
cither by cultivation or with herbicides. You may use additional chemical
weed control after the grass has developed beyond the three-leaf stage.

When fall seeding is necessary wait until after mid-October and sow
into clean stubble without cultivation. The stubble will trap snow and en-
sure a moisture supply for germination early in the spring.

For pasture in the semiarid regions, seed Russian wild ryegrass in rows
12 or 18 inches apart at 5 to 6 pounds per acre, together with 1 pound of
Rambler alfalfa. In more moist areas, you may increase the rate to 8 pounds
per acre and seed in rows 6 or 7 inches apart.

For seed production seed Russian wild ryegrass in rows 3 feet apart at
2 to 2/4 pounds per acre.

USES AND MANAGEMENT

Pasture

Russian wild ryegrass is valuable for pasture when grown alone or in a
mixture with alfalfa. In tests on five experimental farms in the Prairie
Provinces the average yield of Russian wild ryegrass was about the same
as that of crested wheatgrass, but it contained more protein. The compara-
tive yields in pounds per acre were:

Dry matter Protein

Russian wild ryegrass 2,516 374

Crested wheatgrass 2,449 342

Cattle and sheep prefer Russian wild ryegrass to bromegrass or crested
wheatgrass, and therefore it is best not to grow them together in mixture or
in one enclosure.

In an experiment with 2-acre plots at Tugaske, Saskatchewan, cattle ate
Russian wild ryegrass in preference to crested wheatgrass and brome grass.
The percentages of various grasses eaten were: Russian wild ryegrass 90,
bromegrass 70, and crested wheatgrass 55. This preference held throughout
the season during different years, and at a heavy stocking rate. On three
Saskatchewan farms at Swift Current, Maple Creek, and Radisson, where
pure stands of bromegrass, crested wheatgrass, and Russian wild ryegrass
were grown in the same enclosures, the animals grazed the Russian wild
ryegrass to the ground but grazed the other grasses sparingly.

Russian wild ryegrass recovers rapidly after grazing when moisture is
adequate (Figure 3). At Outlook, Saskatchewan, the second cutting of Rus-
sian wild ryegrass yielded considerably more than the second cuttings of
either crested wheatgrass or bromegrass. The dry matter yields in tons per
acre from the three grasses grown along and in mixture with alfalfa were:

Alone

With alfalfa

Grass

Cut 1

Cut 2

Total

Cut 1

Cut 2

Total

Russian wild ryegrass

1.27

0.76

2.03

1.28

1.73

3.00

Fairway crested wheat-

grass

1.35

0.44

1.79

1.40

1.59

2.99

Bromegrass

1.37

0.34

1.71

1.92

1.26

3.18

■**»»*«!

igure

3 - Russian wild ryegrass (foreground) resumes growth much better
after cutting than crested wheatgrass (background). The photo
was taken one week after cutting in June.

In a grazing trial at Swift Current sheep were used to graze Russian
wild rye grass- alfalfa and crested wheatgrass-alfalfa pastures continuously
throughout the season. Pasture production, consumption, and carrying capa-
city were similar for the two mixtures, but liveweight gains per ewe and per
acre were about 50 percent greater for the Russian wild ryegrass pasture
whereas consumption per pound of gain was considerably less.

Hi e 4-year average gains and yields from the Russian wild ryegrass-
alfalfa and crested wheatgrass-alfalfa pastures, on dryland, grazed at the
rate of two yearling ewes per acre for 5% months, were:

Pounds
lb. eaten
per pound
gained

Mixture
Russian wild
ryegrass and
alfalfa

Dry matter
lb. per acre

1.210

Pounds eaten
per ewe
daily

3.0

Animal gains.
Per Per

ewe

24

acre

50

21

35

26

Crested

wheatgrass and 1,160 2.8 14

alfalfa

Liveweight gains of sheep were greater on Russian wild ryegrass and
alfalfa after July than on crested wheatgrass and alfalfa (Figure 4). After
September 1, animals on the Russian wild ryegrass-alfalfa mixture con-
tinued to gain weight, whereas those on the crested wheatgrass-alfalfa
mixture started to lose. The excellent gains on the Russian wild ryegrass-
alfalfa mixture were attributed to a higher nutritive value and a slightly
greater daily intake. Comparable results have been obtained from grazing
tests at Many berries, Alberta.

130-1
125-
120-

100-

RUSSIAN WILD RYEGRASS
AND ALFALFA

CRESTED WHEATGRASS
AND ALFALFA

5 1

JUNE JULY

-r-

15

1 15

AUG

1 15

SEPT

BIO-GRAPHIC UNIT - C*

1 15

OCT

KDt, DEPT.OF AGRICULTURE

Figure 4 - Four-year average weight of 70 yearling ewes while grazing on
Russian wild ryegrass-alfalfa and crested wheatgrass-alfalfa
pasture from date following shearing to end of grazing season.

The value of Russian wild ryegrass as a well-balanced pasture feed for
late summer and fall is also shown by the chemical composition (Table 1).
It contains more protein than either crested wheatgrass or bromegrass after
the shot-blade stage, and after the mature seed stage its protein content
is twice that of crested wheatgrass. Its fat content, important in providing
calories late in the fall, is higher than for crested wheatgrass or brome-
grass. Russian wild ryegrass contains less carbohydrate than either brome-
grass or crested wheatgrass, but is similar in ash and crude fiber content.

Table 1. Chemical Compositions of Three Pasture Grasses
at Progressive Stages of Development

(Average percentages of various constituents in a 2-year test)

Constituents

Grass

Early
leaf

Shot-
blade

Flower

Mature
seed

Late
fall

Next
spring

Crude protein

Russian wild ryegrass

21.1

16.4

11.5

9.4

7.3

7.1

Crested wheatgrass

20.1

14.2

6.4

5.4

3.1

3.4

Bromegrass

20.7

17.1

10.4

7.3

4.5

4.6

Carbohydrates

Russian wild ryegrass

42.9

46.6

46.3

44.9

45.7

44.3

(Nitrogen-free

extract)

Crested wheatgrass

44.7

49.8

55.0

55.7

49.7

47.9

Bromegrass

43.9

46.5

53.1

54.3

49.9

48.3

Fat Russian wild ryegrass 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.7 1.6 1.2

(Ether extract) Crested wheatgrass 2.2 1.7 1.4 1.7 1.1 0.7

Bromegrass 2.3 2.0 1.5 1.8 1.4 1.0

Ash Russian wild ryegrass 10.2 8.9 8.0 9.2 7.5 8.6

Crested wheatgrass 9.0 7.8 6.0 6.7 7.3 7.8

Bromegrass 10.6 10.0 6.8 8.0 7.8 9.3

Crude fiber Russian wild ryegrass 24.0 26.5 32.8 34.7 37.9 38.8

Crested wheatgrass 24.0 26.4 31.1 30.6 38.8 40.3

Bromegrass 22.4 24.4 28.2 28.5 36.4 37.0

Hay

Russian wild ryegrass should not be seeded for hay. It generally yields
less than either crested wheatgrass or bromegrass when grown alone or with
alfalfa. The average hay yields for Russian wild ryegrass, crested wheat-
grass, and bromegrass grown alone and with alfalfa in a number of tests, on
a range of soil types, and over several years were:

Grass

Dry matter yield in tons per acre
Alone With alfalfa

Russian wild ryegrass
Crested wheatgrass
Bromegrass

0.57
0.69
0.65

0.96
1.06
1.06

In all hay tests Russian wild ryegrass persisted well and resisted in-
vasion by weeds and other grasses. In a study of competition between
grasses, in several trials where Russian wild ryegrass was grown in mix-
ture with other grasses at Swift Current, it was the only one that competed
favorably with crested wheatgrass.

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#."

Figure 5 - A modern farmyard and lawn sown to Russian wild ryegrass,

10

Farmyards and Lawns

Russian wild ryegrass is one of the best grasses for farmyards and
lawns that cannot be watered (Figure 5). It is leafy, seldom forms stems,
and remains green for most of the summer. It recovers quicker after cutting
than crested wheatgrass, and because it seldom heads out, does not invade
trees and hedges like crested wheatgrass. The sod formed by Russian wild
ryegrass is extremely tough and stands considerable abuse from tramping
and driving. In tests at Saskatoon and Indian Head, Saskatchewan, it has
been more durable than crested wheatgrass.

For lawns and small yards broadcast Russian wild ryegrass by hand or
with a small cyclone seeder at 3 to 4 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet.
Prepare the seedbed and rake or harrow it before and after seeding to firm
the soil and cover the seed.

For large areas use a drill. Set the drill at about 15 pounds of seed per
acre (1 bushel wheat drill setting) and seed the area in at least two direc-
tions at right angles to one another.

Be sure to protect the newly sown area during the first season of growth.
Avoid walking or driving on it. Do not cut it unless it is very weedy in late
June or early July, and then cut as high as possible. Most broad-leaved
weeds can be controlled by spraying with 2,4-D.

Seed Production

Success in growing Russian wild ryegrass for seed depends on the fol-
lowing factors: seeding, fertilizing, irrigating, removing aftermath, harvest-
ing, cleaning, and marketing.

Seeding

Establish seed production fields without using a nurse or companion
crop because it reduces the seed yields of the grass for at least the first
two years after seeding.

Highest yields have been obtained with row spacings of 2 feet or more
(Table 2). At Swift Current the best yields were obtained when the grass
was grown in 3- and 4-foot spacings. At Lacombe, Alberta, in a moister
climate, the grass yielded best in 2-foot spacings. As it is difficult to culti-
vate between rows in 2-foot spacings, a 3-foot spacing is recommended for
all locations (Figure 6).

Studies at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, showed that good seed crops can
be produced when three closely spaced rows are alternated with a fallow
strip 3 to 4 feet wide. The three rows provide a good place to lay the swath
and the fallow strip ensures enough moisture to produce a crop of seed.

11

'} *

Figure 6 - A field of Russian wild ryegrass sown for seed production in
rows 3 feet apart.

Fertilizing

Under average moisture conditions it pays to fertilize (Table 2).

Table 2. Average Seed Yields of Russian Wild Ryegrass on Three
Dryland Sites at Various Rates of 16-20-0 Fertilizer

(Pounds per acre for rows 1 to 4 feet apart)

Feet between

Fertilizer

Swift

Saskatoon

Lacombe

rows

pounds per

acre

Current
7 years

4

years

5 years

1

0

23

101

216

135

59

—

255

250

99

-

268

2

0

80

_

353

135

138

—

417

250

242

-

406

3

0

105

128

367

135

165

—

367

250

230

-

389

4

0

116

_

334

135

208

—

359

250

222

—

257

12

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5 th

6 th

7th

58

168

193

133

81

72

32

76

167

218

215

144

280

52

80

254

284

281

222

365

127

With heavy rates of fertilizer annually, good yields of seed can be ob-
tained continuously for many years from a single seeding. In a 7-year test
at Swift Current fertilizer increased the yields more as the stand aged.

The seed yields of Russian wild ryegrass, in pounds per acre, over a 7-
year period at Swift Current, sown in rows 3 feet apart and fertilized an-
nually with 16-20-0, were:

Fertilizer

lb, per acre

0

135

250

Evidently the soil nitrogen became progressively less available each
year. The percentage increases for the 250-pounds per acre application from
the first to the seventh year, respectively, were: 38, 51, 47, 111, 174, 407,
and 297.

The time of fertilizer application is important also. At Swift Current,
seed yields were twice as great from an August application as from a spring
application at the same rate. At Lacombe, the early-fall application of
fertilizer gave 16 percent higher seed yield than a similar one in the spring.
Therefore, apply the fertilizer immediately after harvesting the seed crop.

The fertilizer required for good seed production depends on the soil. At
Swift Current on loam soil, evidently phosphorus is not needed and the most
economical fertilizer is ammonium nitrate (33.5-0-0). The ammonium nitrate
has twice as much nitrogen per pound as ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) and,
pound for pound, it is cheaper. At present, the recommended fertilizer to
apply for high seed production in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones is
ammonium nitrate at 100 to 150 pounds per acre. But, on Black soils, am-
monium phosphate at 300 pounds per acre may give more economical re-
sults.

Irrigating

In dry years some growers obtain good seed yields by using water from
sloughs, dugouts, or other sources for sprinkler irrigation. Although the timing
of irrigation has not been studied extensively, observations suggest that
this water can be used most economically by irrigating in August and again
in early May. Where only one irrigation is possible, apply the water in early
May. The 7-year average seed yields when two fertilizers were applied on
irrigated plots at Pambrun, Saskatchewan, were:

13

Fertilizer

Check

33.5-0-0

33.5-0-0

16-20-0

16-20-0

Seed yield lb. /acre

Fertilizer lb. /acre

(1955-61).

None

160

75

226

150

244

150

204

300

267

Aftermath

The leafy residue remaining after the seed has been harvested is nutri-
tious and makes excellent feed for livestock. Experiments at Swift Current
showed that removal of the aftermath forage is essential to maintain high
seed yields. When sheep grazed the aftermath there was an increase in seed
yield the following year. The sooner grazing commences after harvest, the
greater the increase in seed yield (Figure 7). The grower who does not
utilize the aftermath can expect lower seed yields and is wasting valuable
pasture.

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LU

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O

Q_

o 200 -

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LU

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GRAZING COMMENCED IN
JULY IMMEDIATELY AFTER
SEED HARVEST

GRAZING COMMENCED
SEPT. 1

GRAZING COMMENCED
OCT. 1

CHECK - NOT GRAZED

1962

1963

(YEAR OF HARVEST)

BIO-GRAPHIC UNIT - CANADA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Figure 7 - Seed yields of Russian wild ryegrass in 1962 and 1963 as in-
fluenced by grazing after seed harvest during the preceding year.

14

Harvesting

Russian wild ryegrass shatters its seed readily and must be cut before
it is dead ripe. The best time to harvest is when the straw is golden yellow
and the seed in the firm dough stage.

The best method of harvesting is to swath the crop just above the leafy
basal growth and then thresh with a combine several days later (Figure 8).
By this method the crop can be harvested at an earlier stage with much less
loss in germination than when it is straight combined. If the crop is straight
combined, good quality seed can be obtained in the 2 to 3 days before the
seed shatters, and it must be dried artificially. Swathing and combining
later allows harvesting to take place over a longer period, eliminates the
need for artificial drying, and insures high germination. However, cutting
more than 6 days before maturity will result in low kernel weight and lower
yield.

Although swathing is the better method of harvesting, some difficulty has
been experienced in picking up the swath when it falls between the rows.
One grower has solved this problem by seeding the field at an angle, and
swathing it by going around the field so that all swaths cross the rows at
an angle. Another farmer arranged his field by seeding two rows one foot
apart where the swath would fall; a self-propelled swather facilitated
placing the swath on the double rows.

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80-

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SWATHED

STRAIGHT COMBINED

t 1 1 r

i 1 1 r

34567 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
DATE OF HARVESTING

BIO-GRAPHIC UNIT - CANADA DEPT.OF AGRICULTURE

Figure 8 - Germination of Russian wild ryegrass seed when harvested by
two methods on successive dates from July 3 to 17.

15

Russian wild ryegrass can be threshed successfully with a combine.
The rub-bar cylinder types are more suitable than the tooth cylinder types
because they do not break up the straw so much. Correct combine adjust-
ments come by trial and error and vary with the make of machine. The fol-
lowing suggestions may be helpful:

• At the start set the cylinder the same as for wheat. If the straw is broken
too much, so that a great deal of it comes into the hopper with the seed, in-
crease the clearance between the cylinder and the concaves. You may need
to open up the cylinder as wide as possible. If this does not give the de-
sired effect, slow the cylinder down slightly. Be careful not to slow it too
much because this reduces the capacity of the combine and tends to plug
it when large wads come in.

• Set the adjustable sieves V3 to Vi open. You can find the best setting
only by repeated trials.

• To clean the seed properly slow down the fan as much as possible and
adjust the wind control doors. Generally, shut the doors and with some
machines insert pieces of cardboard to reduce the air intake.

• Direct the air blast toward the front of the sieves. This provides for
better separation and avoids blowing seed over the back.

• You may have to slow down the operating speed of the pickup because
high speed may cause excessive shattering and loss of seed.

Cleaning

The ordinary fanning mill usually cleans the seed well enough to seed
through a drill but doesn't remove all weed seeds. An indent disc with ap-
propriate discs is necessary to remove them. If you try to remove all weed
seeds with the fanning mill, a lot of good grass seed may be lost.

Metal sheet screens are more suitable than wire screens for cleaning
any grass seed. The wire screens plug up too easily and it is necessary to
remove and clean them frequently.

Scalp the seed over a round-hole wheat or barley screen before cleaning.
The scalping removes parts of heads and about 90 percent of the broken
straw. A 15/64 or 16/64-inch round-hole screen is satisfactory.

For cleaning, a slotted screen 1/14 x 1/4 inch on top and 1/20-inch
round-hole at the bottom is usually satisfactory. Depending on the quality
of the seed, it may be necessary to use screens larger or smaller than these.

If cleaning equipment is not available on the farm, the seed can be
cleaned at a commercial seed cleaning plant. It is best to make the ar-
rangements well before harvest.

Marketing

Most of the seed is sold to commercial seed houses. The seed is in good
demand for local use and export, and most seed companies handle it. If you
grow a large quantity of seed it is advisable to invest in cleaning machinery

16

and clean the seed yourself. If you have a small quantity of seed it may be
marketed through commercial seed houses in uncleaned form. There is a
charge for cleaning the seed, and the dockage increases the cost of ship-
ping.

Fifty-pound sacks are the easiest to handle; larger ones are awkward.
Also, many sales are made in multiples of 50 pounds.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Some of the information in this publication was supplied by the following
officers of the Research Branch: R.P. Knowles, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan;
E. Buglass, Indian Head, Saskatchewan; R.W. Peake, Lethbridge, Alberta;
and A.T.H. Gross, Brandon, Manitoba.

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

Campbell, J.B. 1961. Continuous versus repeated-seasonal grazing of grass-
alfalfa mixtures at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. J. Range Mgmt. 14:
72-77.

Campbell, J.B., R.W. Lodge, A. Johnston, and S. Smoliak. 1962. Range
management of grasslands and adjacent parklands in the Prairie Pro-
vinces. Can. Dep. Agr. Pub. 1133.

Heinrichs, D.H., and R.B. Carson. 1956. Chemical composition of nine
grasses at six stages of development. Can. J. Agr. Sci. 36: 95-106.

Kilcher, M.R., and D.H. Heinrichs. 1964. The comparative suitability of
some grasses for turf in southern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 44:
208-211.

Lawrence, T. 1960. Quality of Russian wild ryegrass seed as influenced by
time and method of harvesting. Can. J. Plant Sci. 40: 474-481.

Lawrence, T. 1963. Seed yield of Russian wild ryegrass grown on an ir-
rigated clay soil in southwestern Saskatchewan. J. Range Mgmt. 16:
311-312.

Lawrence, T., and J.E. Troelsen. 1964. An evaluation of 15 grass species
as forage crops for southwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 44:
301-310.

Lawrence, T., and R. Ashford. 1964. Seed yield and morphological develop-
ment of Russian wild ryegrass as influenced by grazing. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 44: 311-317.

Lawrence, T., and R. Ashford. 1964. Russian wild ryegrass, a dual pur-
pose crop. Research for Farmers. Vol. 9, No. 4: 8-9. (Can. Dep. Agr.).

Lawrence, T., and M.R. Kilcher. 1964. Effect of time of fertilizer appli-
cation on the seed and forage yield of Russian wild ryegrass. J. Range
Mgmt. 17: 272-273.

17

Ruuser, W.S., and W.L. Crowle, 1963. Salt tolerance of Russian wild rye-
grass in relation to tall wheatgrass and slender wheatgrass. Can. J.
Plant Sci. 43: 397-407.

Rogler, G.A., and H.M. Schaaf. 1963. Growing Russian wildrye in the Wes-
tern States. U.S. Dep. Agr. Leaflet 524.

Stelfox, H.B., D.ll. Heinrichs, and R.P. Knowles, 1954. Seed production
studies with Russian wild-rye. Can. J. Agr. Sci. 34: 28-35.

Thaine, R. 1954. The effect of clipping frequency on the productivity and
root development of Russian wild ryegrass in the field. Can. J. Agr. Sci.
34: 299-304.

Troelsen, J.E., and J.B. Campbell. 1959. Nutritional quality of forage
crops adapted to southwestern Saskatchewan as determined by their
digestibility and dry matter intake when fed to sheep. Can. J. Plant
Sci. 39: 417-430.

18

BIBLIOTHEQUE

K1A 0C5

AGRICULTURE CANADA OTTAWA

3 T073 000b5Q51 7

Copies of this publication may be obtained from:

INFORMATION DIVISION

CANADA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OTTAWA

First printed 1956

Reprinted 1958

Revised 1966

Roger Duhamel,
6M— 33367— 5:66

Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery, Ottawa, 1966

A53-991