Tonga Perennial Ryegrass Data

Tonga Information Chart

Seeding Rate:	30-40#/acre
Grazing Use:	Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Horse, Ratite
Maturity:	Early
Hay:	Fair
Silage/Greenchop:	Excellent
Controlled Grazing:	Excellent
Set Stocking:	Excellent
Hill Land Pasture:	Poor
Crop Land Pasture:	Good
Drought Tolerance:	Low
Wet Soil Tolerance:	Moderate
Recommended pH:	5.7-7.5
Fertility Require:	Medium-High

Growing Zones: 1*,2, 4*, 5*, 6, 7 (Use caution in *zones, as winter kill can occur, especially if snow cover is not present.)

Tonga

In recent trials conducted by the University of Wisconsin, Tonga has proven to be an outstanding tetraploid perennial ryegrass. The following information is from trial work at Marshfield, WI in 1991-94.

A. Relative Feed Value

Like most tetraploids, Tonga has a Relative Feed Value that exceeds many other popular forage grasses.

B. Forage Yield

Shown to have one of the earliest maturity dates, Tonga lends itself to excellent spring growth and superior annual forage yields.

C. Survivability

Tonga has demonstrated a very high rate of survivability, indicating that it can withstand lack of adequate winter snow cover, summer drought, and excessive heat better than many grasses. Only tall fescue appeared to have a statistically higher rate of ground cover in Wisconsin.

As with all perennial ryegrasses, winter kill is a concern wherever there is significant potential for harsh temperatures without snow cover. During the Spring of 1997 we have receive very positive reports from the Cornell University where Tonga came out greater than 80% cover while many of the OGs and Timothys did not fare as well. Tonga can be planted with alfalfa, clover, and other forage grasses to achieve an excellent grazing pasture, hay silage, and green chop.