The Effects of Wildflower Seeding Rates for Establishment in Ryegrass As A Cover Crop.

TxDOT does not recommend annual ryegrass 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 will address the use of dwarf type ryegrass seeding rates vs. wildflower seeding rates. The goal is to determine if doubling wildflower seeding rates will help wildflowers compete with the dwarf type ryegrass. The project will also compare the establishment of warm-season perennial grass/legume plantings in the autumn to spring plantings with the competition from dwarf type ryegrass.