Due to climate change and the expansion of cultivation areas through the use of reclaimed land, changes in the selection of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) varieties are anticipated. This study was conducted to compare the growth characteristics before overwintering, productivity, and feed value of eight Italian ryegrass varieties with different maturing stages under the same cultivation conditions. The variety ‘Lm4ho’, a medium-maturing type, showed superior growth characteristics before overwintering, including plant height, leaf length, and leaf width. The heading date was advanced in all varieties, with a greater degree of advancement observed in varieties with earlier heading dates. When harvested at the heading stage of the early-maturing types, the dry matter yield of the medium-maturing types was not significantly different from that of the early-maturing types. However, when harvested at the heading stage of the medium-maturing types, the dry matter yield was higher than that of the early-maturing types. Specifically, ‘Lm4ho’ produced 2,518 kg/ha more than ‘Kowinearly’. The late-maturing variety IR901 and the medium-maturing varieties ‘Lm4ho’ and ‘Kowinmaster’ showed statistically superior dry matter yields. In terms of forage value, including crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and relative feed value (RFV), the medium- and late-maturing types outperformed the early-maturing types. Notably, ‘Lm4ho’, ‘IR 901’, and ‘Hwasan 104’ were evaluated as suitable varieties for high-quality forage production. These results suggest that medium-maturing varieties may be suitable for double cropping in the central regions due to climate change. We propose that future breeding of Italian ryegrass should expand from focusing on cold tolerance and early-maturing varieties to include mediumand late-maturing varieties that consider both productivity and quality.

This study was conducted in Cheonan, the middle region of South Korea, to evaluate the forage characteristics of six medium maturing Italian ryegrass varieties: ‘Kowinmaster’, ‘IR 601’, ‘IR 602’, ‘IR 603’, ‘IR 604’ and ‘IR 605’. In growth characteristics, 'Kowinmaster' exhibited the earliest heading date on April 30, while 'IR 601' exhibited the latest on May 17. 'IR 601' exhibited the highest lodging resistance, and all varieties demonstrated excellent disease resistance, waterlogging tolerance, and cold tolerance. 'IR 603', 'IR 604', and 'IR 605' demonstrated above-average plant length, with 'IR 604' reaching the longest at 114.8 cm. In productivity, 'IR 602' and 'IR 605' produced the highest total dry matter yield, each exceeding 12,800 kg/ha. Regarding feed values, 'Kowinmaster' recorded the highest RFV and TDN at 119.18 and 66.07%, respectively, with 'IR 605' exhibiting the second highest. 'IR 604' and 'IR 601' demonstrated crude protein concentrations over 9%, with 'IR 604' exhibiting the highest at 9.74%. Analysis of monosaccharide content in Italian ryegrass revealed that 'IR 605' exhibited the highest glucose and fructose content at 23.35 g/kg and 50.70 g/kg, respectively. In summary, 'IR 602' exhibited the highest productivity, 'Kowinmaster' recorded the highest feed value, and 'IR 605' exhibited the highest glucose and fructose content. Therefore, 'IR 605' is considered the most outstanding variety due to its superior productivity, second highest feed value, and significant monosaccharide content.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of storage type and period on the quality of rye hay. The rye “Gogu” was sown on October 15, 2020, and harvested on April 22, 2021 (heading stage). The rye hay was prepared in two wrapping conditions (wrapping and unwrapping) and two storage period (3 and 6 months). In regards to their visual appearance, the forage quality score was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay. In all groups, there was no difference in appearance between inside and outside. The moisture content of wrapped rye hay was maintained at the initial level until 6 months. However, the moisture content of unwrapped rye hay was increased at 3 months of storage, and then decreased at 6 months of storage. Crude protein content was higher in wrapped rye hay than in unwrapped rye hay, whereas NDF and ADF contents were lower within wrapped rye hay than within unwrapped rye hay (p<0.05). In conclusion, wrapping rye is effective method for long-term storage that reduces the effect of external environment.

Barnyard millet is a short-lived tropical, short-term C4 plant and has superior vitality in humid conditions owing to its freshwater habitat. It shows strong adaptability to soils with poor drainage and low fertility, and efficiently competes with rice in paddy fields. Barnyard millet grain is used as feed in the Indian region and is a great source of dietary fiber, proteins, fats, vitamins, and some essential amino acids. Considering its high nutritional value and its potential as a food resource and fodder crop, various countries are showing interest in cultivating barnyard millet. However, in Korea, farm households have not yet recognized the benefits of cultivating barnyard millet, and research regarding this is scarce. In this review, the features of forage barnyard millet and its related research trends are discussed, with the aim of improving interest in this crop and promoting its cultivation.