Плевел

Cultivation and Care

Italian ryegrass is relatively easy to cultivate and care for, given its adaptability and rapid growth. It is often sown in the fall or early spring and can be used as a temporary ground cover or forage crop.

Planting

To plant Italian ryegrass, prepare the soil by removing weeds and loosening the top layer. Sow the seeds at a rate of 20 to 30 pounds per acre (22 to 33 kg per hectare) for forage use, or 5 to 10 pounds per acre (5.5 to 11 kg per hectare) for cover cropping. Lightly rake the soil to cover the seeds, ensuring good seed-to-soil contact. Water the area gently to moisten the soil without causing erosion.

Soil Preference

Lolium multiflorum prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It performs best in soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. The plant’s adaptability to various soil conditions contributes to its widespread use.

Watering

Italian ryegrass requires consistent moisture, especially during germination and early growth stages. Once established, it can tolerate short periods of drought. A sample watering schedule would involve providing 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) of water per week, depending on rainfall and soil type.

Sun Requirements

Full sun is ideal for Italian ryegrass, as it promotes vigorous growth and optimal forage quality. Planting in open fields or areas with direct sunlight for most of the day will yield the best results. However, it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Pruning

Pruning, in the case of Italian ryegrass, refers to mowing or grazing management. For lawns and sports fields, mowing to a height of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) is recommended to maintain a dense turf. In forage systems, grazing or cutting for hay should be done when the grass reaches 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) to ensure regrowth and prevent the plant from becoming too stemmy. Use sharp blades to ensure clean cuts and minimize plant stress.

Propagation

Propagation of Lolium multiflorum is primarily through seed. The plant can produce a large number of seeds that germinate readily, making it easy to establish new stands or replenish existing ones.

Pests and Problems

Common pests of Lolium multiflorum include the Italian ryegrass aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) and the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus). These insects feed on the leaves, causing damage that can reduce plant vigor and forage quality. The larvae of the cereal leaf beetle are particularly destructive, scraping the leaf tissues and leaving behind a characteristic windowpane effect. Pest-specific treatments such as insecticides or biological control agents can be used to manage infestations. Crop rotation and maintaining plant health through proper fertilization and watering can help prevent and mitigate pest problems.

Plant Name:
Lolium multiflorum

Etymology:
Genus: Lolium – Derived from the Latin word ‘lolium’, meaning tares, a type of weed. Species: multiflorum – From Latin ‘multi-‘ meaning many, and ‘florum’, the genitive plural of ‘flos’ meaning flowers. Refers to the plant’s characteristic of having multiple flowers.

Common Name:
Italian ryegrass

Genus:
Lolium

Species:
multiflorum

Family:
Poaceae

Height:
0.3-1.2 meters, 1-4 feet

Width and Spread:
Width: 0.3-0.6 meters (12-24 inches) Spread: 0.3-0.9 meters (12-35 inches)

Plant Type:
Annual or biennial

Habit/Form:
Growth Habit: Graminoid Growth Form: Annual or biennial grass

Leaf Type:
Linear

Leaf Arrangement:
Alternate

Leaf Shape:
Lanceolate

Leaf Margin:
Entire

Leaf Color:
Green

Fragrance:
Yes. Sweet, grassy.

Stem Description:
Hollow, smooth, cylindrical

Stem Is Aromatic:
No

Texture:
Annual or biennial, tufted.

Leaf Feel:
Soft, often with a glossy underside.

Leaf Length:
10-30 cm

Leaf Description:
Shape: Linear Arrangement: Alternate Margin: EntireVenation: Parallel Texture: SmoothBase: Sheathing Apex: Acute

Hairs Present:
Yes

Light Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade

Soil Preference:
pH: 5.5-7.0 Texture: Loamy, well-drained Moisture: Medium Nutrient Requirements: Moderate to high

Water Requirements:
Medium to high

Fertilizer Requirements:
NPK Type: Balanced (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) Frequency: Every 4-6 weeks during active growth Timing: Early spring through late summer

Pruning Requirements:
Annual or biennial, no regular pruning required.

Seed Germination Time:
7-14 days

Display/Harvest Time:
May to July

Fruit/Seed Production:
Annual or biennial.

Growth Rate:
Fast

Growth Habit:
Annual or biennial grass

Root System Type:
Fibrous root system

Fruit Type:
Caryopsis

Fruit Description:
Spikelet, dorsally compressed, with 5 to 22 florets, disarticulating above the glumes and between the florets; glumes shorter than spikelet, narrow, 1-veined, keeled, awnless; lemmas 5-7 veined, keeled, awn-tipped or awnless.

Flower Color:
Greenish or purplish

Flower Shape:
Spike

Flower Inflorescence:
Spike

Flowering Season:
Spring to early summer

Bloom Duration:
Not documented

Drought Tolerance:
Moderate

Frost Tolerance:
-5°C to -10°C

Heat Tolerance:
30-35°C

Wind Tolerance:
High

Shade Tolerance:
Intermediate

Salt Tolerance:
Moderate

Soil Compaction Tolerance:
Moderate

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:
6-7

Photoperiod Sensitivity:
Long Day Plant

Pollinator Attraction:
Yes. Bees, flies.

Wildlife Value:
Low; forage for livestock.

Problematic Insects:
Aphids, Armyworms, Billbugs, Frit Fly, Leaf Miners, Slugs, Snails

Allelopathic Properties:
Yes

Habitat Enhancement:
Improves soil structure, increases organic matter, prevents erosion, supports nitrogen fixation (when associated with symbiotic bacteria), provides ground cover, offers forage for animals.

Erosion Control Potential:
High

Landscape Location:
Cultivated fields, grasslands, roadsides, disturbed areas

Landscape Theme:
1. Pasture and forage systems 2. Erosion control 3. Cover cropping 4. Urban greening 5. Sports fields and lawns

Design Feature:
Yes. Used as turf grass, erosion control, and ornamental grass in landscaping.

Ethnobotanical Significance:
Forage crop, erosion control, soil improvement.

Naturalization Ability:
High

Companion Planting Suitability:
Allelopathic; may inhibit growth of nearby plants.

Edibility:
No

Edible Parts:
Young leaves and seedlings.

Toxicity:
Yes

Poison Parts of Plant:
All parts, especially seeds.

Toxic to Humans:
Yes

Toxic to Cats:
Yes

Toxic to Dogs:
Yes

Causes Contact Dermatitis:
Yes.

Air Purification Qualities:
Not documented

Medicinal Properties:
Not documented.

Thorniness or Spikiness:
No

Биологическое описание[править | править код]

Представители рода — однолетние и многолетние травы.

Корневая система мочковатая. Побеги упругие. Растения образуют густые дерновины. Листья линейные, плоские, тёмно-зелёные.

Соцветия — колосья длиной до 15 см с сидячими неплотными колосками, расположенными по одному двумя продольными рядами. К оси колоса колоски обращены ребром (узкой стороной), в отличие от пырея, у которого они обращены длинной стороной. Длина колосков — 8—16 мм, в каждом 3—20 цветков. Все колоски, кроме самого верхнего в колосе, только с одной колосковой чешуей (наружной). Нижние цветковые чешуи широколанцетные, на верхушке острые, без ости или с прямой остью длиной до 15 мм. Рылец два. Во время цветения соцветия густо покрыты пыльцой; опыление происходит с помощью ветра (пыльца плевела нередко является причиной сенной лихорадки).

Плод — зерновка (обычный для всех представителей семейства Злаки сухой односемянный плод). Семянки плевела разносятся ветром или водой.

Число хромосом: 2n = 14.

Классификация[править | править код]

Таксономическое положение

Род Плевел, как и близкие к нему роды Мятлик и Ежа, входят в трибу Мятликовые (Poeae), относящуюся к подсемейству Мятликовые (Pooideae) семейства Злаки, или Мятликовые (Poaceae).

Таксономическая схема (согласно Системе APG II):

	ещё 17 семейств, в том числе Осоковые, Рогозовые		ещё около 15 триб, в том числе Ковылёвые, Овсовые, Пшеницевые
					Плевел многоцветковый, Плевел многолетний, Плевел опьяняющий и другие виды
	порядок Злакоцветные, или Мятликоцветные			подсемейство Мятликовые			род Плевел
	отдел Цветковые, или Покрытосеменные			семейство Злаки, или Мятликовые			триба Мятликовые
	ещё 44 порядка цветковых растений		ещё пять подсемейств, в том числе Бамбуковые, Рисовые		ещё около 50 родов, в том числе Ежа, Мятлик, Овсяница

Виды

По информации базы данных The Plant List, род включает 11 видов:

• Lolium canariense Steud.
• Lolium gracile (Dumort.) B.D.Jacks.
• Lolium × hubbardii B.K.Simon
• Lolium × hybridum Hausskn.
• Lolium multiflorum Lam. — Плевел многоцветковый, или Итальянский райграс
• Lolium perenne L. — Плевел многолетний, или Английский райграс
• Lolium persicum Boiss. & Hohen.
• Lolium remotum Schrank — Плевел расставленный
• Lolium rigidum Gaudin
• Lolium saxatile H.Scholz & S.Scholz
• Lolium temulentum L. — Плевел опьяняющий, или Плевел пьянящий, или Головолом

Гибриды

Наиболее близкий к плевелу род — Овсяница (Festuca). Имеется несколько межродовых гибридов между различными видами плевела и овсяницы; их объединяют в гибридный род ×Festulolium Aschers. & Graebn.

Названия[править | править код]

Научное название имеет древнеримское происхождение: словом lolium Вергилий называл злостный сорняк.

В русский язык слово «плевел» попало из церковнославянского (в значении «сорняк»), при том, что в древнерусском языке имелось аналогичное слово с полногласием — «половел» в том же значении.

Во многих языках плевел называют «ржаной травой» (англ. Ryegrass, дат. Rajgræs, исл. Rýgresi, нидерл. Raaigras, фин. Raiheinä). В русскоязычной литературе также иногда встречается аналогичное название рода — рейграс, райграс.

Синонимы научного названия рода:

• Arthrochortus Lowe ()
• Craepalia Schrank ()
• Crypturus Trin. ()

Description

Lolium multiflorum is a cool-season, annual or biennial grass that is known for its adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. It is characterized by its lush, green appearance and rapid growth rate. The plant has a fibrous root system and forms dense tufts or clumps. Italian ryegrass is primarily known for its agricultural value as a forage grass for livestock due to its high nutrient content and palatability. It is also used in turf mixtures for lawns and sports fields, and as a cover crop to improve soil health and prevent erosion. In some regions, it is considered invasive due to its ability to spread quickly and compete with native vegetation.

Size

Italian ryegrass typically reaches heights of 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm), with a maximum known height of around 4 feet (120 cm) under optimal conditions. It has a general growth rate of about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) per week during the growing season. The root system is fibrous and extensive, which helps the plant to establish quickly and stabilize soil. While the roots are not known to cause significant problems, they can contribute to the plant’s invasiveness by forming a dense network that outcompetes other species.

Leaves

The leaves of Lolium multiflorum are simple, with a glossy green color and a fine texture. They are flat and can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and 0.2 to 0.6 inches (5 to 15 mm) wide. In a more advanced botanical description, the leaves exhibit a distinctive alternating pattern on the stem, known as a distichous arrangement. The leaf sheaths are smooth, and the ligules are membranous and very short. The auricles are well-developed and clasp the stem, a characteristic feature of the genus Lolium.

Flower

Italian ryegrass produces a flowering structure called a spike, which is composed of multiple spikelets arranged along a central axis. The spikelets are typically 0.4 to 0.8 inches (10 to 20 mm) long and contain several florets. The blooming period occurs in late spring to early summer, and the flowers are wind-pollinated. The flowering phase is crucial for seed production, which is important for the plant’s propagation and spread.

Fruit

The fruit of Lolium multiflorum is a dry, one-seeded caryopsis, commonly referred to as a grain. The seeds are small, with a flattened shape and a reddish-brown color. They are an important factor in the plant’s ability to disseminate and establish in new areas.

Stem

The stems, or culms, of Italian ryegrass are erect and can be either smooth or slightly rough to the touch. They are hollow, which is typical of grass species, and contribute to the plant’s overall structure and ability to transport nutrients and water.

Литература[править | править код]

• Ботаника. Энциклопедия «Все растения мира»: Пер. с англ. (ред. Григорьев Д. и др.) — Könemann, 2006 (русское издание). — С. 538—539. — ISBN 3-8331-1621-8.
• Губанов И. А., Киселёва К. В., Новиков В. С., Тихомиров В. Н. Иллюстрированный определитель растений Средней России. Т. 1. — М: Т-во научных изданий КМК, Ин-т технологических исследований, 2002. — С. 269—272. — ISBN 5-87317-091-6
• Жизнь растений. В 6-ти т. Т. 6. Цветковые растения / Под ред. А. Л. Тахтаджяна. — М.: Просвещение, 1982. — С. 369.
• Иллюстрированный определитель растений Ленинградской области / Под ред. А. Л. Буданцева и Г. П. Яковлева. — М.: Товарищество научных изданий КМК, 2006. — С. 691, 719, 721. — ISBN 5-87317-260-9.
• Хржановский В. Г. Курс общей ботаники. Часть 2. Систематика растений: Учебник для сельхозвузов. — 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. — М.: Высш. школа, 1982. — С. 495.