Rye from GotlandNordGen has got a donation of material from Gotland. The material is collected by Borit Hallin at Länsstyrelsen Gotland. Amongst the material is one population of Gotlandsråg (NGB 21083) with additional rye brome and corncockle
Gotlandsråg is traditionally the most cultivated cereal crop on Gotland and seeds were shared amongst the farmers. On the stony sea area this crop was the only one that could be cultivated. There were farms that cultivated Gotlandsråg even in the 1970th. Today Gotlandsråg is cultivated in so called "Allmogeåker" which include cultivation of old landraces - and in the case of rye togather with weed spices that are red listed (on extinsion). Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) and rye brome (Bromus secalinus ) have been the partners of Gotlandsråg, and do only survive in this kind of cultivation. The weeds have even been used for other purposes. Rye brome has been used for animal fodder and even for food for man, and as a guarantee if the yield of rye failed. Corncockle has been used to produce alcohol, but also as soap in the cleaning of wool. The high level of saponin might however cause problems for both humans and animal. Our rye accession The origin of this accession is from MICKELS i NÄR (Gotland) from before 1940. EMIL JACOBSSON got seeds of the rye in 1942 and cultivated it for years. Since 1980 Hans Dahlström has cultivated the rye on his farm at BOGE on Gotland. The local name was "Larsmässoråg" due to the date of sawing "Larsmässodagen", the 10th of August. The rye was sawn latest by 10th of September on the more fertile and rich inland soils on Gotland. Harvesting usually took place late July or early August. "Brådden" the first year growth was grazed by sheeps, and led to less diseases as snow mold. The rye was manured and fertilized with seeweed "släke". The plant can reach more than 2 meter height and is adapted to the strong wind and rains. According to locals "Det godaste rågmjöl at baka bröd på".
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Gotlandsråg (Local rye from Gotland)