UMS

Phantom

Phantom

Annual Ryegrass

Phantom is an annual tetraploid ryegrass selected for maximum dry matter production during winter and spring.

Scientific Name

Lolium multiflorum

Ploidy

Tetraploid

Sowing Rate

25 – 30 kg/ha

Blend Rate

5 – 15 kg/ha

Seed Size

200,000-300,000 seeds per kg

Source: Pasture varieties used in NSW 2006-2007, Bev Zurbo, 2006

Maturity

Early

Phantom is an early-maturing plant designed to produce good quality feed late into the spring. Excellent winter growth pattern.

Days to flowering relative to Nui (0) = -2

Key Features

  • Highly digestible and very palatable

  • Ideally suited to hay and silage production

  • Excellent choice for direct seeding new pastures

  • Rejuvenates older, established pastures

Plant Characteristics

  • Tetraploid annual type

  • Very vigorous seedlings

  • A perfect substitute for traditional winter forage crops such as oats

Where can I grow it?

  • High rainfall and irrigation areas

  • Highly adaptable across a diverse range of environments

Download Tech Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Soil Type

Phantom is best suited to well-drained loam soil types but adapts to a wide range of fertility levels and soil profiles. Phantom tolerates ‘wet feet’ typical of heavy clay soils. Tetraploids will cope with water logging for short periods of time provided the growing tip is above water. To maximise stand productivity, soil testing is advisable. Analyse soil and neutralise deficiencies with fertiliser and/or lime.

Good base rates of phosphorus are necessary for maximum DM production especially during the establishment phase. DM production is directly related to nitrogen availability. Consult your UMS agronomist or fertiliser advisor for nitrogen application rates.

Sow at 25-30kg/ha alone or 5-15kg/ha when a component of a pasture blend. Sow seed no deeper than 1cm in a fine but firm seed bed. Sow into bared ground if direct drilling. Lightly harrow and roll to improve germination. Suitable for oversowing into an established stand. Pasture productivity is directly related to successful plant establishment.

Phantom has good resistance to rust and other pasture diseases. During emergence it is essential to monitor regularly for damage from insects such as RLEM and lucerne flea, and spray as required. Inspect during early stand life for populations of black-headed cockchafer and slugs. Contact your UMS agronomist for spray application rates.

Phantom is very competitive as both a seedling and established plant. Always use a knockdown herbicide to ensure you are sowing into a clean seedbed. Monitor for post-emergent weeds and spray as required. Use options such as spray-grazing for broadleaf weeds.

Do not graze Phantom until the plant is well anchored and root depth is established. Carry out a quick in-paddock ‘grab test’ by hand to ensure stock cannot pull plants out of the ground. Phantom should be rotationally grazed to maintain 2-3 leaves per tiller. If the stand is allowed to grow beyond the three-leaf stage, it may run to head earlier and there will be a proportional reduction in quality and productivity.

Tetraploids such as Phantom have 4 sets of chromosomes per cell resulting in bigger, darker leaves. This increased cell size has higher sugar and moisture content which is more palatable and digestible than diploid varieties.

To optimise livestock weight gain and health, ensure livestock are vaccinated and drenched. To prevent nutritional problems, make gradual diet changes when introducing hungry stock to lush pastures. Contact an UMS agronomist for more information.