RUSSIAN WILD RYEGRASS AND ALTAI WILD RYEGRASS FOR EARLY SUMMER PASTURE

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Abstract
A mixture of Russian wild ryegrass (Elymus junceus Fisch.), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) and alfalfa (Medicago media Pers.) yielded the same as a mixture of Altai wild ryegrass (Elymus angustus Trin.), crested wheatgrass and alfalfa as early summer pasture; the carrying capacity and steer gains were the same also. The mixture containing Altai wild ryegrass was slightly higher in nutritive value than that containing Russian wild ryegrass. This higher nutritive value appeared to be largely due to more alfalfa in the stand. Russian wild ryegrass was more competitive than Altai wild ryegrass and had crowded out most of the alfalfa after 4 yr. Crested wheatgrass, a volunteer invader, made much more rapid inroads into Altai wild ryegrass stands than into Russian wild ryegrass stands. Russian wild ryegrass appears to be a better pasture grass for early summer grazing than Altai wild ryegrass mainly because of its earlier growth start and better ability to compete with other species.

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