When rye pollen is used to pollinate wheat flowers, the result is the remarkable hybrid known as triticale. It has a similar, albeit weaker, allelopathic effect to Fall Rye, but without the dense root system. Its grains are more nutritious than wheat, with less glutenin.
Latin
Triticale hexaploide
Family: Poaceae
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Timing
Sow in the fall, as the vernalization triggers seed production. Spring and summer sown Triticale will not produce seeds.
Starting
Prepare the seed bed the same as for oats, wheat, or barley. Triticale can be grown for use as wheatgrass.
Growing
After its burst of spring growth, turn triticale under or cut it back before it reaches 30cm (12") tall. Allow 3 weeks after tilling before planting the next crop. As a grass it is considered awnless, which makes it an excellent forage for livestock. Triticale is nearly as hardy as Winter Wheat, with even better disease resistance.