Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Seed - cooked
[1][2][3][4]. A common cereal, it is used especially in N. Europe to make bread
[5]. The seed contains about 13% protein
[6]. The grain also contains some gluten, though not as much as wheat, so it makes a heavier bread than wheat. It can also be used to make cakes etc. The seed can be sprouted and added to salads
[5]. A nutritional analysis is available
[7].
Malt, a sweet substance produced by germinating the seed, is extracted from the roasted germinated seed and used as a sweetening agent and in making beer etc[2].
The roasted (ungerminated) seed is used as a coffee substitute
[4][5].
Material uses
The straw is used as a fuel or as a biomass in industry
[8]. It is quite strong
[9] and can also be used in thatching, for paper making, weaving mats and hats etc
[2][3][4][6][10]. Other uses for the straw include as a packing material for nursery stock, bricks and tiles, for bedding, archery targets, and mushroom compost
[11].
The plant is a good green manure crop. It is fast growing with an extensive and deep root system
[4]. It is especially useful if sown in late autumn. Its growth over the winter will prevent soil erosion and the leaching of nutrients from the soil, it can then be incorporated into the soil in the spring
[10]. The extensive root system also makes this a good plant to use for soil stabilization, especially on sandy soils
[10].
The seed is made into a poultice and applied to tumours
[7].
The seed is also an effective laxative due to its fibrous seed coat
[11].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow March or October in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Secale cereale. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a well-drained light soil in a sunny position
[12][13]. It thrives on infertile, submarginal areas and is renouned for its ability to grow on sandy soils
[11]. Established plants are drought tolerant
[12]. The plant is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range of of 22 to 176cm, an annual temperature in the range of of 4.3 to 21.3°C and a pH of 4.5 to 8.2
[11].
Rye is a widely cultivated temperate zone cereal crop. It is able to withstand severe climatic conditions and can be grown much further north and at higher altitudes than wheat[2][3][14]. Average yields vary widely from country to country, the world average is around 1.6 tonnes per hectare with yields of almost 7 tonnes per hectare achieved in Norway[11]. There are many named varieties[5].
Rye is a rather variable species and botanists have divided it into a number of sub-species, all of which could be of value in breeding programmes. These sub-species are briefly listed below:-
S. cereale afghanicum (Vavilov.)K.Hammer. Native to the Caucasus, western Asia and India.
S. cereale ancestrale Zhuk. Native to western Asia.
S. cereale dighoricum Vavilov. Native to the Caucasus and eastern europe.
S. cereale segetale Zhuk. Native to temperate Asia.
Rye grows well with cornflowers and pansies
[15][16], though it inhibits the growth of poppies and couch grass
[15][16].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Secale cereale. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Secale cereale.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Secale cereale
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
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"image:Illustration Secale cereale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Secale cereale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Illustration Secale cereale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
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"image:Illustration Secale cereale0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
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