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Pasture

Diploids and tetraploids

Diploid

Diploid ryegrasses have two sets of chromosomes per cell, compared to a tetraploid which has four.

Diploids combine yield and robustness, helping to ensure that even in less than ideal conditions, they will deliver for your stock.

The cells within a diploid ryegrass are smaller than in tetraploids resulting in a lower ratio of water soluble carbohydrates (sugar) compared to fibre.

Dependable diploids:

  • Densely tillered
  • Competitive with weeds
  • Ideal for grass to grass situations
  • Cope with lower fertility
  • Can handle wetter environments
  • Can be set stocked or rotationally grazed

Tetraploid

A tetraploid plant has four sets of chromosomes per cell (a diploid has two sets) which simply means tetraploid ryegrasses are more palatable for your livestock.

Tasty tetraploid ryegrasses are just what your stock ordered. Stock prefer tetraploids over diploids if they have a choice and tetraploids are more quickly and completely eaten by livestock.

Tasty tetraploids:

  • Fast to establish
  • Extremely tasty and palatable
  • Excellent pasture utilisation
  • Higher animal dry matter intakes
  • Very high quality
  • Clover friendly
  • Better animal performance
  • Great for silage and hay quality

Remember that tetraploids:

  • Need a higher sowing rate – the seed is larger than diploids
  • Should be rotationally grazed or set stocked for short periods only
  • Are easily overgrazed, watch post-grazing residuals
  • Should be sown with clovers or herbs
  • Tetraploids are darker green. Don’t rely on colour change before applying Nitrogen
Diploid (left) and Tetraploid (right)