Ryegrass, Italian 'Ligrande' / 'Virgyl'

Since its introduction in Scotland in the 19th century, ryegrass has become indispensable in agriculture and livestock farming! Its most important use (worldwide) is its high nutritional value for animals (cats love it too!) but it is also very good as a weed suppressor and therefore also popular as a green manure (often in combination with a medium-height clover). The crop even suppresses couch grass (Elytrigia repens). Usually, the grass behaves as an annual or biennial and rarely survives a second winter.

To avoid depleting your valuable soil, it is wise to leave it fallow occasionally. During such a period, green manure is ideal: it adds nutrients to the soil through often present nitrogen fixation; it suppresses weed growth, promotes bacterial life, provides humus, and in some cases, acts against harmful nematodes.

Names:
Latin: Lolium multiflorum
Dutch: Ryegrass, Italian
English: Italian Ryegrass