IRBITSKAYA

Irbitskaya – a red perennial ryegrass variety obtained through individual selection from a wild-growing population and subsequent mass selection at the nursery of Ural State University named after A.M. Gorky. The variety is characterized by low perennial height, a loose-tillering type with high tillering ability: numerous shortened shoots are formed in the vegetative state; during flowering and maturation – from a large number of tall erect generative shoots. Leaves are narrow (up to 2 mm), dark green, soft, but show a bright red hue at seed maturation, sometimes with yellowish nuances.

Irbitskaya is distinguished by high disease resistance: smut, powdery mildew, leaf rust, and fungi (powdery mildew). The variety also demonstrates good drought tolerance and winter hardiness, making it suitable for cultivation in a wide range of climatic conditions. Seed yield reaches 220–250 centners/ha of grain material, and under optimal planting conditions (April–May, temperature 15–20 °C) and fertile soils with good drainage capacity – up to 6–7 tonnes/ha.

Irbitskaya is widely used as a lawn culture: it recovers quickly after mowing, grows early in spring, and retains its green color until late autumn. Thanks to its dense turf and two-tier structure (shortened shoots in the ground layer and erect generative shoots in the second tier), the variety ensures quality mechanical seed harvest and good lawn decorativeness on urban territories, pasture, and pasture-meadow areas. Its application is also suitable for producing flour, bread, and cereals from the grain product.