The present study investigated the effects of different seeding rates on growth characteristics and seed productivity of the “Kowinearly” cultivar of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in paddy fields. Sowing Kowinearly in paddy fields under growing rice at the rates of 20, 30, 40, and 50 kg/ha resulted in seed yields of 1.57, 1.92, 2.06, and 2.09 ton/ha, respectively. Seed yield of Kowinearly was the highest at a seeding rate of 50 kg/ha (p<0.05), at which the cultivar was able to survive in winter and the weed ratio was low. Under these conditions, most growth characteristics such as winter survival (85%), weed ratio (10%), stems per square meter (1,006) were superior than those sown at other seeding rates (p<0.05). In addition, it has been reported that the economic efficiency of the 50 kg/ha seeding rate was higher than that of the other seeding rates.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and dry matter yields of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., IRG) cultivars for three years (2011~2013). The cold-resistance of domestic cultivars was stronger than other foreign varieties. Among early-maturing cultivars, dry matter (DM) yield of ‘Kowinearly’ was significantly higher (8,751 kg/ha) than other cultivars (p<0.05). In medium-maturing cultivars, DM yield of ‘Kowinmaster’ and ‘Tam 90’ was 9,394 and 7,461 kg/ha, respectively. Of the two, the former’s DM yield was higher than the latter’s (p<0.05). Among late-maturing cultivars, DM yield of ‘Hwasan 104’ (9,809 kg/ha) was similar to ‘Hwasan 101’ (9,354 kg/ha), but significantly higher than the other late-maturing cultivars (p<0.05). According to the results obtained from present study, early-maturing cultivars with cold-tolerance and high productivity is required for the paddy field cultivation of an Italian ryegrass cultivar after rice harvest in Cheonan region. Medium- and late-maturing cultivars are more advantageous for the dry field cultivation of the maximum quantity that is possible. In conclusion, to select which cultivar/s to grow, the climate of the growing area, weather conditions, and the cropping system must all be considered