User:Rye lover 99/sandbox

Unbred wild type: Primitive Rye
Common names: In English-speaking countries, primitive rye is barely grown, which is why there is only one name commonly used. In European farming communities, where this cultivar is more widespread, there are a lot of names associated with the crop. Especially in German-speaking regions, where it is for example called 'Waldstaudenroggen' or 'Johannisroggen', refering to the place and time it is commonly grown.

Systematics: Primitive Rye is closely related to common Rye, that is commonly grown all over Europe. In genetic analyses, it is closely related to the Secale cereale group. It is therefor just a still wild variation of Secale cereale, still sharing many genetic similarities.

Potential applications for Primitive Rye:

Organic production: In organic production (without artificial chemicals), primitive rye can fulfill a number of functions: - Versatile use in a crop rotation; Primitive Rye has low site requirements, as it has been shown to grow well even in acidic and nutrient-low soils. Generally, primitive rye copes well with difficult growing conditions such as frost. It has a strong root-system and is fast growing, dealing well with weed competition too. Additionally, it can be sown in different seasons (altough June is optimal). These prerequisites come together to give the farmer flexibility when and where to sow primitive rye.

- Cover crop; The primitive rye grows fast and covers the ground well the whole year. It stabilizes the soil with a strong root system too. Therefor it can be used as a cover-crop, to protect fields from erosion pressure while no cash crop is grown. The rye is perennial in nature, so a field can be covered with it for up to five years, if the field is not used in that time.

- Use as fodder or green manure; Primitive rye only sets seed in the second year, the first year, the cuttings can be used as fodder for animals. If seed harvest is not of interest, the plant can be used up to five years to feed animals. Animals can either directly graze the fields, or the straw can be cut at once before winter.

Baking with high nutritional values: Primitive Rye has potential uses in the future due to its nutritional contents. Its grain is more abundant in free phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, tocopherols and carotenoids than common rye grain. It has been shown that the consumption of rye bread and other rye products (primarily as wholegrain products) provides health benefits.