Clover root-nodule bacteria in the New England region on NSW.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Baird

Most of the cultures isolated from the New England Region of New South Wales were able to form effective associations with white clover. Associations with red, crimson, and subterranean clovers were of doubtful effectiveness, or definitely ineffective. Isolates from plants growing in the drier ayeas were the most effective symbionts with crimson and subterranean clovers, but those from plants in the wetter areas proved best with red and white clovers. This locality effect seemed to be related to the field host from which the isolate was obtained. Those from clustered and subterranean clover were more effective on crimson and subterranean clovers than were those from white clover. On the other hand white clover isolates were the most effective symbionts for white and red clovers. There was a similarity in the effectiveness of isolates of red and white, subterranean and crimson clovers. There was a significant negative correlation with all other pairs. An unusually large number of cultures was inconsistent in nodulation (29 per cent.) or failed to nodulate any of the four clover hosts (6 per cent.). There were initially only about 5 clover rhizobia per gram in the two soils examined but no difficulty was experienced in obtaining growth of bacteria in sterilized soil or successful inoculation of seed of subterranean clover sown in unsterilized soil in pots. A pure culture of each of the five strains was capable of forming nodules, but strains 297 and 298 were responsible for most of the nodules produced from a mixed inoculum. While the relative success of the strains in producing nodules appeared to be independent of their rate of multiplication in sterilized soil, it was affected to some extent by the type of soil.

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Thompson

A range of temperate annual and perennial legumes, naturalized or commonly sown in the area, was examined at three field sites in low fertility soils derived from granite on the south western slopes of the New England Region, New South Wales. They were compared over a four year period in terms of their persistence, dry matter and nitrogen production and their compatibility with associated temperate perennial grasses, The response of sown grass to nitrogen fertilizer application was also examined in the absence of legume. Ten legumes were examined at one site and six of these at the other two sites. In general, nitrogen yields were ranked similarly to total dry matter yields of all treatments, including grasses in the absence of legume. However, the legumes were ranked differently in terms of productivity of the legume component and productivity of associated grass. At all sites lucerne gave the highest yields of total dry matter and of legume and the lowest yield and persistence of associated grass-comparable to grass growing in the absence of legume or applied nitrogen. Subterranean clover was ranked second or third in total dry matter yield, depending on site, but provided the highest yield of associated grasscomparable to grass receiving high levels of applied nitrogen. Under this legume soil nitrogen levels tended to be highest. Rose clover, sown at one site only, yielded more legume dry matter than subterranean clover but grass yield was comparable to that with lucerne. The results suggest that subterranean clover is the superior legume for successful mixed sowings although inclusion of white clover could be justified. Lucerne appears to be best sown as a pure sward.


2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
W. Smith ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
J. Brockwell

Total productivity and legume nitrogen fixation (N2 fixation) in dryland pastures were examined in a 2 year study (1999–2001) on 118 farms in central-western New South Wales. Pasture exclosure cages, placed at 217 on-farm sites, were harvested on 7 occasions and the foliage hand-sorted according to species in order to measure shoot dry matter (DM). The separated legume shoot material collected in spring 1999 (52 different legume samples) and 2000 (76 different legume samples) from a subset of representative pastures (41 cages on 28 different farms in 1999, 32 cages on 25 different farms in 2000) was also analysed for concentration of nitrogen (%N) and 15N natural abundance. These data were subsequently used to calculate the proportion of the legume shoot N derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa), comparative measures of the relative efficiency of N2 fixation (kg N fixed/t DM accumulated) and the amounts of shoot N fixed (kg N/ha). The survey encompassed 8 common pasture types, and 5 others that were less common, ranging from native perennial grass pastures with little legume content to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pastures with and without companion clovers. Fifteen legume species were found in the pastures, some only occasionally. Lucerne and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were the only perennials. Mean spring estimates of %Ndfa were similar in 1999 and 2000 for lucerne (72 and 81%, respectively), rose clover (T. hirtum All., 82 and 77%) and annual medics (Medicago spp., 89 and 86%). For the remaining 12 legume species, measures of %Ndfa ranged from 64 to 95% and averaged 83%. Shoot %N contents were greater for lucerne than for the other 14 legumes and this was reflected in the comparative measures of N2 fixation which ranged from 14.5 kg N/t DM for rose clover to 25.7 kg N/t DM for lucerne in 2000. The most productive pasture type comprised lucerne plus balansa clover [T. michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.], white clover or arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi), but all pasture types that contained lucerne were highly productive. Spring was the most productive season and summer the least. Lucerne was overwhelmingly the most productive legume and was responsible for >83% of the fixed N in those pastures that contained both lucerne and other legumes. Lucerne productivity was approximately uniform throughout the year whereas, for other pastures, especially those based on rose clover or subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.), there were sharp peaks in spring and little or no dry matter production over summer. The presence of lucerne in pastures significantly (P<0.05) reduced broadleaf weeds. It was concluded that, where there are requirements in central-western New South Wales agriculture for uniform forage production throughout the year and a high input of fixed N, lucerne is substantially superior to other species.


2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
M. Goodacre

Seven experiments were established across a range of environments (latitude 33°S) in central New South Wales to evaluate 52 legume cultivars and lines against currently recommended cultivars. Plots were grazed by either sheep or cattle after each harvest. Criteria for inclusion were that lines were either commercially available or in the process of being registered. Three experiments also included chicory. Sites had from 600 to 900 mm annual rainfall and were at altitudes of 440–1000 m. The 4-year program included the dry summer of 1990–91. White clover and subterranean clover were the most productive species over time. Among subterranean clovers, the subspecies subterraneum cultivars were more productive than the yanninicum or brachycalycinum subspecies. Other species such as balansa, Persian, strawberry, red and crimson clovers, lotus major and murex medic were more variable in production. These legumes often grew well in the establishment year, but failed to persist. Lucerne was in general, not as productive as white or subterranean clover. Caucasian clover and yellow serradella should be evaluated further as conclusive judgements could not be formed. Chicory was often the most productive species in the experiments, especially over the warmer 6 months of the year. It persisted under a 6-week harvest regime and during the drought year. The newer subterranean clover cultivars, Leura, Goulburn and Denmark all exceeded the production from the previously recommended cultivars, Woogenellup and Karridale, even though no major disease was evident in the later group. The lines 89820D and 89841E were sufficiently productive to warrant further evaluation and possible development as cultivars. In contrast, while Huia, Tahora, Bonadino and Tamar were often as productive as the recommended white clover cultivar Haifa, they were not consistently better. Where summer rainfall occurs and the annual rainfall exceeds 650 mm, the greater potential yield of white clover compared with subterranean clover justifies its use. However, no white clover cultivars survived the summer drought in 1990–91 as intact plants. Further work is needed to develop more drought-tolerant cultivars.


1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (16) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
BR Watkin ◽  
PJ Vickery

Factors affecting the establishment and yields of legumes (Trifolium repens L., Trifolium subterraneum L., Meticago sativa L.) on unimproved pasture were studied on a granite soil in New England. Treatments included methods and times of sowing, pre-sowing grazing managements, and fertilizer applications. Sod seeding and discing increased the establishment of clover as did late sowing when the seed was broadcast. Pre-sowing grazing managements had no significant effects. Nitrogen application improved clover establishment. The percentage establishment for subterranean clover was consistently higher than that for white clover, but this was not related to subsequent yield. Sod seeding resulted in increased clover yields. Interactions between yields and pre-sowing grazing managements occurred with species ; light grazing before sowing resulted in maximum white clover yield whereas heavy grazing resulted in maximum subterranean clover and lucerne yields. Significant responses in the yield of white clover were obtained from phosphorus and potassium applications with a significant interaction (P x K). In the second year there were responses to phosphorus and sulphur, largely with repeat applications. The response to potassium declined in the second year. There was a significant increase in clover growth early in the second year from the application of lime and this interacted with potassium.


1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 761 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Grieve ◽  
E Dunford ◽  
D Marston ◽  
RE Martin ◽  
P Slavich

A physical model was used to assess the effects of surface waterlogging and soil salinity on the productivity of winter cereals and irrigated dairy pastures on irrigation farms in the Berriquin and Wakool Irrigation Districts of the Murray Valley region of New South Wales. Parameters describing the physical properties of major soil types were combined with statistically derived estimates of rainfall excess over evapotranspiration to establish the incidence of waterlogging. Soils predisposed to waterlogging occupy 150000 ha of Berriquin District (45% of District) and 24 800 ha of Wakool District (73%). Estimates of yield losses from waterlogging ranged from 12.5% in annual subterranean clover-based pastures, 20% in winter cereals, to 25% for perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures. The relationships between yield and soil salinity were determined for barley, wheat, white clover, subterranean clover, and irrigated annual and perennial pastures growing under existing management practices in shallow watertable areas of the 2 Districts. Response functions were applied to soil salinity frequency distributions to derive production loss coefficients. Surveys showed that average soil salinities were lower in Berriquin than in Wakool. In 1984, 43% the soils in shallow watertable areas of Berriquin could be classed as saline, whereas, in 1982 the corresponding figure for Wakool was 72%. A further survey taken in 1984, 2 years after the inception of a deep drainage scheme, showed that saline soils in Wakool had decreased to 46% of the total area.We assessed economic losses associated with soil salinity and waterlogging by applying the derived loss coefficients to achievable yields for known production areas. Total annual losses for the 2 Districts exceeded $A13 million, or 16% of the 1984 value of the District's agricultural production. This figure underestimates real losses because we excluded livestock enterprises other than dairying, as well as summer cropping, from the study. Losses due to waterlogging ($A10 million overall) were more serious than those due to soil salinity (nearly $A4 million), particularly in Berriquin where shallow watertables were less extensive. In Wakool, 2 years' operation of the deep drainage scheme reduced losses due to soil salinity by $A750 000.Thus surface waterlogging and soil salinity cause serious economic losses in the irrigated areas of southern New South Wales. Research into appropriate techniques for on-farm irrigation management may reduce these losses, and delay further development of shallow watertables and soil salinisation, with sub of stantial economic and environmental benefits.


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill

Sirosa phalaris, WL5 15 lucerne, Haifa white clover and Seaton Park subterranean clover were grown in monocultures and binary mixtures on a cracking clay soil and cut at 4- and 8-week intervals over 3 growing seasons at Scone, New South Wales (32�S.). The plots were given supplementary irrigation between mid April and November to prevent water deficits. The deep-rooted perennials dominated mixtures under infrequent cutting, with cumulative dry matter yields for the growing season reaching 11 t/ha for lucerne-based mixtures. Frequent defoliation increased the contribution of the clovers in mixtures, and mixtures and monocultures containing clovers were more productive than other plots in winter, 1986. Frequent defoliation reduced the vigour and density of lucerne, resulting in balanced mixtures with phalaris and subterranean clover in the third year. Only lucerne plots contributed large amounts of dry matter yield (up to 4 t/ha) between December and April. Regeneration of subterranean clover from seedlings, and white clover from seedlings or stolons, was better in clover-only plots than in mixtures with phalaris. The growth of mixtures in response to mean daily air temperature in spring could be divided into 2 distinct patterns, with growth peaking at about 15�C for determinate (annual or dormant) mixtures, and at about 18�C for lucerne mixtures and pure white clover. In autumn, growth patterns were determined by the method of regeneration (i.e. by seedings or dormant crowns).


1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Kleinig ◽  
J Loveday

The low availability of zinc on a number of calcareous grey and brown soils of heavy texture with pH>8, in the Coleambally Irrigation and Balranald areas of New South Wales, resulted in marked deficient symptoms in, and responses to zinc by, Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean L.), grown on these soils. An interaction between zinc and manganese occurred but there was no yield advantage in applying manganese in place of, or together with, zinc. Healthy subterranean clover grew on the surface soil (0-4 in.) of Yooroobla clay, a gilgai puff, but plants on the subsoil, which is exposed when the soil is leveled for irrigation, were extremely, zinc deficient. The pH of the subsoil is generally about 0.5 units higher than that of the surface soil. Legume species and strains differed in their response to zinc. Ladino white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Clare subterranean clover responded less to applied zinc than Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover, and barrel medic 173 (Medicago tribuloides Desr.) responded less than Ladino white clover. When no zinc was applied barrel medic 173 yielded better than Ladino white clover, and Ladino white clover and Clare subterranean clover better than Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover.


1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (112) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Archer

A range of temperate legumes was evaluated for winter and spring production for use as either short-term ley pastures, or, when sown from the air, as introduced species into natural pastures on the higher northern slopes of New South Wales. The species were evaluated with and without the annual application of a compound phosphorus and sulfur fertilizer in four experiments from 1975 to 1978. Haifa white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Haifa) was generally the most productive and persistent species with dry matter production in winter and spring ranging from 21 30 to 3600 kg/ha when sown into prepared seedbeds. In natural pastures with applied fertilizer, yields of Haifa ranged from 100 kg/ha in a dry year to 5000 kg/ha. Other persistent species in both ley and natural pastures were Namoi woolly pod vetch (Vicia dasycarpa cv. Namoi) (1110-3520 kg/ha and 470-3350 kg/ha, respectively) and Hunter River lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River) (1290-2500 kg/ha and 480-2350 kg/ha, respectively). These were the only species to establish themselves satisfactorily in the natural pastures. Other species that showed good potential for ley pastures were Hamua red clover (T. pratense cv. Grasslands Hamua), Clare subterranean clover (T. subterraneum cv. Clare) and Kondinin rose clover (T. hirtum cv. Kondinin), but further evaluation of these legumes is required. The barrel medics were productive in their establishment year averaging 2560 kg/ha dry matter but mean yields in subsequent years were less than 100 kg/ha due to poor regeneration. The natural pastures needed fertilizer to ensure adequate levels of production from the sown legumes. In the ley pastures, a response occurred only in the second year of one experiment. The natural species did not respond to fertilizer. It is concluded that Haifa white clover, woolly pod vetch and lucerne offer significant potential for use in both ley and natural pastures on the north-western slopes


1963 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Cooper ◽  
J. R. Richards ◽  
A. W. Webb

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