This experiment was conducted to determine optimal sowing date and method of Italian ryegrass(Lo1iuwr wzultiflorum. Tetrone) in paddy of Gyeong Nam area. Treatments given were four sowing dates(Sep. 30, Oct. 10, Oct. 20 and Oct. 30) and four sowing methods (broadcasting on tillage ridging, broadcasting on zerotillage ridging, boundless broadcasting and alternated drilling). The characteristics of growth, winter survival, yield(fresh and dry matter) and nutr~ent quality were observed. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Winter survival and yield components such as plant height, and number of stem were the highest due to higher survival tillers at the sown time of Sep. 30(p<. 05). 2. Plants sown on Sep. 30 showed the highest fresh and dry matter yield. Yield was decreased as delaying the date of sowing. Fresh and dry matter yield sown on Oct. 10, were obtained 7600 and 1100 kg, respectively, aftenvardly sign~ficantly decreased(p< .05). 3. Effect of sowing time and method on chemical composition were not recognized. 4. Winter surviva: sown on boundless-broadcasting was lower(p<. 05) than those of sown on broadcasting on ridging and alternated-drilling. 5. Fresh and dry matter y~elds were the highest when sown on broadcasting on tillage ridging but that of sown on houndless-broadcasting was relatively low. 6. The growth and forage yield were enhanced by sowing up to Oct. 10 and by sown on broadcasting on ridging (tillage or zerotillage).