MAR Early 4X, a Novel, Early Tetraploid Ryegrass for the Southeastern U.S.

Breeding an early annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) will benefit southern beef and dairy operations whose livestock rely on warm-season perennial grasses for grazing or early spring-planted corn for silage. Most commercially available ryegrasses tend to have peak production in late March. Close grazing, hay or silage cuttings, and herbicides are management methods to deter late–season ryegrass production on lands utilized by summer crops. In 2010, the University of Florida released MAR Early 4X, a large seeded, early maturing annual ryegrass. It is the earliest tetraploid (4X) ryegrass cultivar commercially available. This tetraploid has good cold resistance to mild winters in the U.S. Southern Coastal Plain. MAR Early 4X also has excellent resistance to crown rust, stem rust, gray leaf spot (Pyricularia grisea), and Helminthosporium leaf spot diseases.  MAR EARLY 4X was developed at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Marianna from FL X2000 (G) 4X ER following four cycles of recurrent selection (2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007) for disease resistance, early forage production, and early seed maturity. In regional ryegrass variety trials, MAR Early 4X produced the greatest tonnage among tested tetraploid cultivars. While total seasonal yields of MAR Early 4X is competitive in comparison with other commercially available cultivars, its early forage production and disease resistance make it a desirable cultivar for those requiring early-season forage performance. MAR Early 4X (PVP pending) is widely adapted over the Southeastern ryegrass belt, including Central Florida.