Plants of grassland: Educational Garden Agricultural Sciences

Plants of grassland

Grassland is a type of land use that is grazed or cut and whose vegetation consists predominantly of perennial plants, mainly grasses. Grassland forms the feed basis for ruminants and other rough feedingstuffs. As a result, the use and management of grassland has traditionally been closely linked to animal feed quality requirements. In recent decades, dairy farming has increasingly used energy-rich fodder (concentrated feed, silage maize) from arable land, because even with intensive grassland management, the needs of high-performance animals can no longer be met solely by grassland forage.

New recycling alternatives with different quality requirements have developed as a result of the energetic utilization of grassland extensions in biogas plants and as a raw material for bio-based products. Grassland has other important ecosystem functions beyond the production of biomass, such as the conservation of biodiversity, water and soil protection and also the recreational function. Since these are usually more pronounced with extensive management, trade-offs to agricultural requirements can arise.

Grasses

With about 12,000 species, the sweet grasses are a large and varied plant family. 15 species are cultivated in Germany as fodder grasses and have economic significance, 12 of which can be seen here. Grasses are the most important species group in grassland and should account for about 60-80% in a balanced grassland population. Due to their pronounced vegetative propagation due to the formation of lateral shoots, they form a dense turf and are the basis for the yield and quality of the edible biomass. As the growth ages, the fiber content increases and the protein content decreases, so the fodder quality decreases.

Other grassland plants

In addition to the grasses, legumes and other herbs are always found in the grassland. They are the basis for biodiversity and shape the aspect of the stands.This diversity cannot shown in the Educational garden of Agriculture Sciences, visit the Hohenheim Gardens and the great outdoors.

Types and varieties

Italien ryegrass

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum syn. Lolium italicum)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Dorike

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Italian ryegrass	Dorike	30-40	16.03.2022	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Tall fescue

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Lipalma

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Tall fescue	Lipalma	17	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Cocksfoot grass

Cocksfoot gras (Dactylis glomerata)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Revolin

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Cocksfoot grass	Revolin	20 - 25	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Redtop

Redtop (Agrostis gigantea)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Redtop		10	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Yellow foxtail grass

Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Alopex

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Yellow foxtail grass	Alopex	25	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Golden oat grass

Golden oat grass (Trisetum flavescens)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Arone

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Golden oat grass	Arone	10 - 20	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Perennial ryegrass

Perennial ryegras (Lolium perenne)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Trivos

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Perennial ryegrass	Trivos	40	16.03.2022	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Meadow fescue

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Liherold

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Meadow fescue	Liherold	35 - 40	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Red fescue

Red fescue (Festuca rubra)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Vaiety: Rafael

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Red fescue	Rafael	25 - 40	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Kentucky blue grass

Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Limagie

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Kentucky blue grass	Limagie	15 - 20	28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Timothy

Timothy (Phleum pratense)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Lischka

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Timothy	Lischka		28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Tall oatgrass

Tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius)

Family: True grasses (Poaceae)

Variety: Trisett 51

Type	Variety	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
Tall oatgrass	Trisett 51		28.02.2019	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Harvest first cut:

Demonstration Experiment Grassland intensity

Herb-rich grass mixture Fertilisation 1

Herb-rich grass mixture extensive use

2 cuts, 0 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
	30	09.04.2021	no fertilisation	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest first cut:

Flowers 30%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,0
Wild beaked parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,5
Rambling Bellflower (Campanula patula)	Campanula (Campanulaceae)	0,1
Caraway (Carum carvi)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	2,5
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)	Composite(Asteraceae)	2,0
Brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,0
Raugh hawksbeard (Crepis biennis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,7
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	1,8
White bedstraw (Galium album)	Bedstraw (Rubiaceae)	2,0
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Field scabiosa (Knautia arvensis)	Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)	1,0
Raugh hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Common daisy (Leucanthemum ircutianum/vulgare)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,5
Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)	Legume (Fabaceae)	1,2
Cuckoo flower (Lychnis flos-cuculi)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Musk mallow (Malva moschata)	Mallow (Malvaceae)	0,5
Red poppy (Papaver rhoeas)	Poppy (Papaveraceae)	1,0
Great burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata)	Plantain (Plantaginaceae)	2,5
Common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,3
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa)	Knotweed (Polygonaceae)	0,8
Meadow clary (Salvia pratensis)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,0
Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)	Rose (Rosaceae)	0,4
Autumn hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Red campion (Silene dioica)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Meadow salsify (Tragopogon pratensis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,2
Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	1,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaceae)	0,6

Grasses 70%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common bent grass (Agrostis capillaris)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0
Buffalo grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Barley brome (Bromus hordeaceus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Crested dogtail grass (Cynosurus cristatus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	8,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Downy oatgrass (Helictotrichon pubescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Narrow-leaved meadow grass (Poa angustifolia)	True grasses (Poaceae)	13,0
Golden oatgrass (Trisetum flavescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0

Herb-rich grass mixture Fertilisation 2

Herb-rich grass mixture extensive use

2 cuts, 30 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
	30	09.04.2021	KAS (27%) 30 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest first cut:

Flowers 30%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,0
Wild beaked parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,5
Rambling Bellflower (Campanula patula)	Campanula (Campanulaceae)	0,1
Caraway (Carum carvi)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	2,5
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)	Composite(Asteraceae)	2,0
Brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,0
Raugh hawksbeard (Crepis biennis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,7
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	1,8
White bedstraw (Galium album)	Bedstraw (Rubiaceae)	2,0
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Field scabiosa (Knautia arvensis)	Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)	1,0
Raugh hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Common daisy (Leucanthemum ircutianum/vulgare)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,5
Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)	Legume (Fabaceae)	1,2
Cuckoo flower (Lychnis flos-cuculi)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Musk mallow (Malva moschata)	Mallow (Malvaceae)	0,5
Red poppy (Papaver rhoeas)	Poppy (Papaveraceae)	1,0
Great burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata)	Plantain (Plantaginaceae)	2,5
Common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,3
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa)	Knotweed (Polygonaceae)	0,8
Meadow clary (Salvia pratensis)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,0
Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)	Rose (Rosaceae)	0,4
Autumn hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Red campion (Silene dioica)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Meadow salsify (Tragopogon pratensis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,2
Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	1,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaceae)	0,6

Grasses 70%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common bent grass (Agrostis capillaris)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0
Buffalo grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Barley brome (Bromus hordeaceus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Crested dogtail grass (Cynosurus cristatus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	8,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Downy oatgrass (Helictotrichon pubescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Narrow-leaved meadow grass (Poa angustifolia)	True grasses (Poaceae)	13,0
Golden oatgrass (Trisetum flavescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0

Herb-rich grass mixture Fertilisation 3

Herb-rich grass mixture extensive use

2 cuts, 60 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
	30	09.04.2021	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest first cut:

Flowers 30%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,0
Wild beaked parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,5
Rambling Bellflower (Campanula patula)	Campanula (Campanulaceae)	0,1
Caraway (Carum carvi)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	2,5
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)	Composite(Asteraceae)	2,0
Brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,0
Raugh hawksbeard (Crepis biennis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,7
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	1,8
White bedstraw (Galium album)	Bedstraw (Rubiaceae)	2,0
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Field scabiosa (Knautia arvensis)	Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)	1,0
Raugh hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Common daisy (Leucanthemum ircutianum/vulgare)	Composite (Asteraceae)	2,5
Birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)	Legume (Fabaceae)	1,2
Cuckoo flower (Lychnis flos-cuculi)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Musk mallow (Malva moschata)	Mallow (Malvaceae)	0,5
Red poppy (Papaver rhoeas)	Poppy (Papaveraceae)	1,0
Great burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major)	Umbellifer (Apiaceae)	0,4
Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata)	Plantain (Plantaginaceae)	2,5
Common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,3
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa)	Knotweed (Polygonaceae)	0,8
Meadow clary (Salvia pratensis)	Mint (Lamiaceae)	1,0
Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)	Rose (Rosaceae)	0,4
Autumn hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	0,3
Red campion (Silene dioica)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	0,5
Meadow salsify (Tragopogon pratensis)	Composite (Asteraceae)	1,2
Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris)	Pinks (Caryophyllaceae)	1,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaceae)	0,6

Grasses 70%

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Common bent grass (Agrostis capillaris)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0
Buffalo grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Barley brome (Bromus hordeaceus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	4,0
Crested dogtail grass (Cynosurus cristatus)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	8,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Downy oatgrass (Helictotrichon pubescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	2,0
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	5,0
Narrow-leaved meadow grass (Poa angustifolia)	True grasses (Poaceae)	13,0
Golden oatgrass (Trisetum flavescens)	True grasses (Poaceae)	3,0

Intensive grass mixture Fertilisation 1

Grass mixture intensive use

4 cuts, 0 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
GSWU - Cutting and grazing use	30	09.04.2021	no fertilisation	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest first cut:

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Perennial ryegras (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	28,0
Timothy (Phleum pratense)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	14,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	11,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
White clover (Trifolium repens)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	9,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	3,0

Intensive grass mixture Fertilisation 2

Grass mixture intensive use

4 cuts, 30 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
GSWU - Cutting and grazing use	30	09.04.2021	KAS (27%) 30 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest first cut:

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Perennial ryegras (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	28,0
Timothy (Phleum pratense)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	14,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	11,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
White clover (Trifolium repens)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	9,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	3,0

Intensive grass mixture Fertilisation 3

Grass mixture intensive use

4 cuts, 60 kg N/ha - Fertilisation

Type	Seed rate kg/ha	Sowing	Fertilisation	Measures
GSWU - Cutting and grazing use	30	09.04.2021	KAS (27%) 60 kg N/ha: 21.03.2024	Cambridge roller: 09.04.2021 Harvest 1. cut:

Types in the mixture	Family	Proportion in the mix %
Perennial ryegras (Lolium perenne)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	28,0
Timothy (Phleum pratense)	True grasses (Poaceae)	17,0
Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	14,0
Yellow foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
Red fescue (Festuca rubra)	True grasses (Poaceae)	11,0
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)	True grasses (Poaceae)	6,0
White clover (Trifolium repens)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	9,0
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)	Legume (Fabaaceae)	3,0