An Evaluation of Orchardgrass Strains Grown Alone and With Alfalfa 1

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is widely used as a forage grass throughout the humid regions of northern United States. It has also been shown to be one of the most productive pasture grasses under irrigated conditions of the west (6, 17). Plant breeders have developed many strains of orchardgrass, providing a range of relative maturities for use as pasture and hay. The medium maturing strains are approximately a week later than the early strains; the late maturing are ten days to two weeks later.