The Affects of Wildflower Seeding Rates for Estalishment In Ryegrass As A Cover Crop.

Texas Department of Transportation does not recommend annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) for roadside re-vegetation nurse crop because its late maturity and height are too competitive for establishing perennial or spring plant mixtures. However, there are two genotypes available that are less competitive and could be seeded with fall seeded perennials and wildflowers. The two types are a dwarf type developed for home lawns and a early maturing type which produces seed heads in January or Februrary. This project addressed the use of dwarf type ryegrass seeding rates vs. wildflower seeding rates. The goal was to determine if doubling wildflower seeding rates will help wildflowers compete with the dwarf type ryegrass. The project also compared the establishment of warm-season perennial grass and legume plant in the autumn to spring plantings with competition from dwarf type ryegrass.