[MAIPC] Using annual ryegrass in cover mixes

Tue Oct 26 18:29:41 PDT 2021

Lollium multiflorum was used as a cover crop in a stream “restoration” project near my home in 2009.  Not only has it persisted, but it has spread uphill for a long distance.  Nothing else grows where it is growing, so I think it may have allelopathic properties.  The Reston Association was promised that this grass would disappear after the first year, since it is “only an annual”.  But in fact it is a prolific seeder and has become invasive here.  The deer of course do not eat it.  

It is even popping up in my yard, which is quite a ways uphill from the stream and about a quarter of a mile away.  I would urge anyone who is doing a restoration to avoid any seed mix with this species in it.  

Diana Carter

From: MAIPC <maipc-bounces at lists.maipc.org> On Behalf Of Stephen Hiltner
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2021 9:46 AM
To: Matthew Sarver <matt at sarverecological.com>
Cc: MAIPC Listserve <MAIPC at lists.maipc.org>
Subject: Re: [MAIPC] Using annual ryegrass in cover mixes

In NC, we called it rye grain, which was frequently mentioned as an alternative to annual rye. 

On Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 9:01 AM Matthew Sarver <matt at sarverecological.com <mailto:matt at sarverecological.com> > wrote:

Colleen,

At high seeding rates, annual ryegrass can be detrimental to the success of a planting through competition. If you're worried about that, grain rye (Secale cereale) might be a better cover crop. Ernst has a mix that uses grain rye rather than annual ryegrass: https://www.ernstseed.com/product/native-steep-slope-mix-wgrain-rye/

Of course, it very much depends on soils, sun exposure vs. shade, aspect, etc. I wouldn't recommend the mix above for a shady location.

Best,

Matt

Matthew J. Sarver, BA, CERP

Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America 

Principal, Sarver Ecological, LLC

6 Walnut Ridge Rd

Wilmington, DE 19807

matt at sarverecological.com <mailto:matt at sarverecological.com> 

(724) 689-5845

www.sarverecological.com <http://www.sarverecological.com> 

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On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 6:36 PM Judy Fulton <jfulton5 at gmail.com <mailto:jfulton5 at gmail.com> > wrote:

Hi Colleen,

I don't have personal experience with growing Lolium multiflorum (aka Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum and Festuca perennis), but I do get concerned when people talk about using it because it has been mentioned as invasive or naturalizing by various sources. Here's a sampling of links:

*	CABI: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/31165#tosummaryOfInvasiveness
*	NC State Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lolium-multiflorum/
*	Cal-IPC: https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/festuca-perennis-profile/
*	WV: http://www.midatlanticpanel.org//wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WV_ISSP_2014.pdf <http://www.midatlanticpanel.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WV_ISSP_2014.pdf>  (pg 45)
*	Weakley's Flora of Southeastern (no judgment about invasiveness, but shown as exotic and growing uncultivated throughout the Mid-Atlantic): https://ncbg.unc.edu/research/unc-herbarium/flora-request/
*	USDA Agricultural Research Service (Naturalized section under Distribution tab): https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=22493

Because of these and other sources, I've included Lolium multiflorum in the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool (https://www.invasive.org/midatlantic/). Frankly, if I were doing the planting, I'd choose to go all native.

Judy

____________________________________________

Judith P. Fulton 
EcoPlant Consulting: Native and Invasive Plants 
Board, Maryland Native Plant Society 
Board, Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council 
Chair, Maryland Invasive Species Council's Committee on Invasives Lists 
Voice: 410-337-3701, Text only: 410-404-8201 

On 10/20/2021 12:43 PM, Kenny, Colleen wrote:

Hi all,

I'm looking at doing a warm/cool season grass mix from Ernst in an area that has a lot of exposed soil (we're very worried about erosion). The mixes have annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) which is not native, but apparently germinates much faster and more aggressively than the native ryegrasses. 

Does anyone have experience with these? Will the ryegrass peter out in a few years? Any need to worry about it taking over too aggressively?

I'm facing the tradeoff between need to stop erosion and desire to go all-native. If the annual rye is not detrimental it would be worth the faster germination.

I appreciate your thoughts,

Colleen

Colleen Kenny

Natural Resource Manager
Upper Dublin Township at Commerce
370 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034

Email: ckenny at upperdublin.net <mailto:ckenny at upperdublin.net> 
Office: 215.643.1600 x3843
Cell: 267.615.3731 

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