Organic Festulolium 'Perun'

Organic Festulolium (Festuca x Lolium)

Festuloliums are hybridisations between fescue and ryegrass species. This combines the high yield of ryegrass with the stress tolerance of fescues. 'Perun' is a tetraploid variety. The yield is high with relatively high sugar content. Typically utilised for silage in a mixture with other grasses like perennial ryegrass, tall fescue types of festulolium and red clover. 'Perun' contributes high dry matter yield - especially in the 1st and 2nd harvest year - with very good quality. Trial results in UK have shown very early spring growth and very high yields in the 1st cut. Good resistance to rust, Dreschlera leaf spot and mildew.

Special Features:

• Thrives on lighter soils.
• Winter-hardy and drought tolerant.
• Very good summer growth.
• Deep extensive root system which improves soil structure.
• Good weed suppressor - used in margin areas to control invasive species like Sterile Brome.

Management:

• Slow to establish in year one, but grows aggressively afterwards.
• Topping or regular grazing keeps growth leafy. If unmanaged, it becomes coarse and forms tussocks, though modern varieties are higher yielding and leafier than traditional ones.
• Can be added to permanent pasture mixes which don’t already include it.