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| ## cereal rye {#cereal-rye .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Secale cereale* L.                                                   |
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| Plant Symbol = SECE                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Cereal Rye (Secale
cereale)](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.1in"
height="3.0984251968503935in"}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Cereal rye is a commonly used winter cover crop in the northeastern U.S.
Due to the late harvest of many crops, fall-planted cover crops often do
not make adequate growth to provide winter soil protection, but cereal
rye can germinate and grow under cooler conditions than other covers.
Cereal rye can also be used for spring forage production, and fed as
pasture, green chop, or put up as haylage. It is reported that rye
forage may impart an off-flavor to milk. Cereal rye does have an
allelopathic affect on some weed species.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site at plants.usda.gov.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Cereal rye is an erect annual grass, with flat leaf blades and dense
flower spikes. Each large spike consists of many 2-flowered spikelets
with long awns. The grain is relatively large, typically around ½ inch
long. There are 18,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

The cultivar 'Aroostook' is expected to produce a satisfactory stand as
a late seeded cover crop if a minimum of 260-350 growing degree days
(base 40 degrees F) remain after seeding. While 'Aroostook' was
developed primarily for use in northern climates, it is widely adapted
as a cover crop and forage producer outside the Northeast.

Cereal rye is distributed throughout the United States. For a current
distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species
on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

The best method to plant 'Aroostook' following potatoes, corn, soybeans,
and other row crops, is to drill the seed one inch deep using a
conventional grain drill equipped with packer wheels. Another
satisfactory method is to broadcast the seed followed by a shallow
disking or harrowing and cultipacking. Use a minimum of 2 bushels per
acre (110 to 120 lb/acre). 'Aroostook' rye can also be aerial seeded in
standing corn or other row crops. Aerial seeding is very dependent on
favorable weather for success. For very late plantings or aerial
seedings, 3 bushels per acre is recommended. No seed treatment is
recommended.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

There is usually adequate residual fertilizer following a row crop to
produce the cover crop. Due to 'Aroostook's abundant spring growth, it
is important to plow, spray, graze, or cut its stands in a timely manner
when managed for green manure, cover crop, or forage. Strong growth can
be anticipated in March in the southern part of the Northeast. Northern
locations typically begin growth in April. For pasture, extremely rapid
rotation or stocking with large numbers of animals is required to
capture the spring growth. In areas with high nitrogen availability,
take preventative measures for grass tetany or other related reactions;
an acclimation period for livestock is highly recommended.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

This section is under development.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Late fall and early spring growth, and prostrate fall leaf growth make
'Aroostook' (New York) rye a valuable cover crop. 'Aroostook' rye can be
seeded in northern Maine as late as September 30th. The leaf area index,
(when the plants are growing at 200 growing degree days with a base of
32 degrees F) is significantly greater than 'Balbo.' The foundation seed
for 'Aroostook' rye is produced by the Big Flats, NY Plant Materials
Center, and is available to commercial seed producers. Commercially
produced certified seed is available from some dealers. Currently, most
seed production occurs in the Midwest.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060817 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060817-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
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