Temperate pasture legumes in Australia—their history, current use, and future prospects

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. H. Nichols ◽  
C. K. Revell ◽  
A. W. Humphries ◽  
J. H. Howie ◽  
E. J. Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Annual Legumes ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Perennial Legumes ◽  
Pasture Legume

Australian farmers and scientists have embraced the use of new pasture legume species more than those in any other country, with 36 annual and 11 perennial legumes having cultivars registered for use. Lucerne (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), and red clover (T. pratense) were introduced by the early European settlers and are still important species in Australia, but several other species, notably annual legumes, have been developed specifically for Australian environments, leading to the evolution of unique farming systems. Subterranean clover (T. subterraneum) and annual medics (Medicago spp.) have been the most successful species, while a suite of new annual legumes, including serradellas (Ornithopus compressus and O. sativus), biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus) and other Trifolium and Medicago species, has expanded the range of legume options. Strawberry clover (T. fragiferum) was the first non-traditional, perennial legume commercialised in Australia. Other new perennial legumes have recently been developed to overcome the soil acidity and waterlogging productivity constraints of lucerne and white clover and to reduce groundwater recharge and the spread of dryland salinity. These include birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Talish clover (T. tumens), and hairy canary clover (Dorycnium hirsutum). Stoloniferous red clover cultivars and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) cultivars adapted to southern Australia have also been released, along with a new cultivar of Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum) aimed at overcoming seed production issues of cultivars released in the 1970s. New species under development include the annual legume messina (Melilotus siculus) and the perennial legume narrowleaf lotus (L. tenuis) for saline, waterlogged soils, and the drought-tolerant perennial legume tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata). Traits required in future pasture legumes include greater resilience to declining rainfall and more variable seasons, higher tolerance of soil acidity, higher phosphorous utilisation efficiency, lower potential to produce methane emissions in grazing ruminants, better integration into weed management strategies on mixed farms, and resistance to new pest and disease threats. Future opportunities include supplying new fodder markets and potential pharmaceutical and health uses for humans and livestock. New species could be considered in the future to overcome constraints of existing species, but their commercial success will depend upon perceived need, size of the seed market, ease of establishment, and management and safety of grazing animals and the environment. Molecular biology has a range of potential applications in pasture legume breeding, including marker-assisted and genomics-assisted selection and the identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for important traits. Genetically modified pasture plants are unlikely to be commercialised until public concerns are allayed. Private seed companies are likely to play an increasingly important role in pasture legume development, particularly of mainstream species, but the higher risk and more innovative breakthroughs are likely to come from the public sector, provided the skills base for plant breeding and associated disciplines is maintained.

Variability of in vitro ruminal fermentation and methanogenic potential in the pasture legume biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.)

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bidhyut Kumar Banik ◽  
Zoey Durmic ◽  
William Erskine ◽  
Phillip Nichols ◽  
Kioumars Ghamkhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Core Collection ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Germplasm Collection ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Rumen Microbes ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Pasture Legume

Biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.) is an important annual pasture legume for the wheatbelt of southern Australia and has been found to have lower levels of methane output than other pasture legumes when fermented by rumen microbes. Thirty accessions of the biserrula core germplasm collection were grown in the glasshouse to examine intra-specific variability in in vitro rumen fermentation, including methane output. One biserrula cultivar (Casbah) was also grown at two field locations to confirm that low methanogenic potential was present in field-grown samples. All of the biserrula accessions had significantly reduced methane [range 0.5–8.4 mL/g dry matter (DM)] output compared with subterranean clover (28.4 mL/g DM) and red clover (36.1 mL/g DM). There was also significant variation in fermentability profiles (except for volatile fatty acids) among accessions of the core collection. Methanogenic potential exhibited 86% broad-sense heritability within the biserrula core collection. The anti-methanogenic and gas-suppressing effect of biserrula was also confirmed in samples grown in the field. In conclusion, biserrula showed variability in in vitro fermentation traits including reduced methane production compared with controls. This bioactivity of biserrula also persists in the field, indicating scope for further selection of biserrula as an elite methane-mitigating pasture.

scholarly journals The search for alternative temperate perennial pasture species for low to medium rainfall environments in Tasmania

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 275-279
Author(s):  
E.J. Hall ◽  
R. Reid ◽  
B. Clark ◽  
R. Dent
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Cool Temperate ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Perennial Legumes ◽  
Pasture Plants

In response to the need to find better adapted and more persistent perennial pasture plants for the dryland pastures in the cool-temperate low to medium rainfall (500-700 mm) regions, over 1000 accessions representing 24 species of perennial legumes and 64 species of perennial grasses, were introduced, characterised and evaluated for production and persistence under sheep grazing at sites throughout Tasmania. The work has identified four alternative legume species in Talish Clover (Trifolium tumens). Caucasian Clover (T. ambiguum), Stoloniferous Red Clover (T. pratense var. stoloniferum), Lucerne x Yellow Lucerne Hybrid (Medicago sativa x M.sativa subsp. falcata); and two grass species in Coloured Brome (Bromus coloratus) and Hispanic Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata var hispanica). Keywords: persistence, perennial grass, perennial legume

The transference of nitrogen from pasture legumes to an associated grass under several systems of management in pot culture

1965 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 915 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Simpson
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
The Other ◽  
Temporary Increase ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Perennial Legumes ◽  
Intact Root ◽  
Pot Culture

The extent of underground transference of nitrogen from three pasture legumes, each growing in association with a grass, has been studied in pot culture under several systems of management during the first 12–18 months after sowing. The three legumes performed quite differently. Subterranean clover did not release any nitrogen until senescence and then produced a rapid transference. White clover was competitive for nitrogen until the autumn-winter period. Lucerne released nitrogen gradually over the whole experimental period. Frequent defoliation of the legumes reduced competition for nitrogen by white clover but also reduced transference from the other legumes. Killing the perennial legumes produced only a small temporary increase in transference. Wilting and temporary drying treatments also reduced the transference. Thus there was no evidence that the nitrogen transference from lucerne was due to a shedding or decay of nodules induced by defoliation; it could equally well be due to direct excretion of nitrogen from the intact root system. The significance of the results in pasture establishment in infertile areas is discussed.

Comparative analyses of silage production from perennial legume-gramineous mixtures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Л. Пушкина ◽  
О. Анциферова ◽  
А. Капсамун ◽  
Е. Павлючик ◽  
Н. Иванова
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Russian Research Institute ◽  
Fermentation Quality ◽  
Silage Production ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Perennial Legumes

Одним из направлений исследований в луговодстве является повышение кормовой ценности многолетних бобовых трав, увеличение производства высокобелковых энергонасыщенных кормов, улучшение силосуемости с использованием малозатратных способов консервирования. В статье изложены результаты исследований кормовой ценности культур, выращенных на осушаемых землях Нечерноземья. Экспериментальная и аналитическая части исследований выполнены в ФГБНУ Всероссийский научно-исследовательский институт мелиорированных земель (ФГБНУ ВНИИМЗ) на опытном полигоне, расположенном в юго-восточной части Тверской области. Объектами исследований являлись высокопродуктивные сенокосные травостои на основе козлятника восточного Гале и интенсивных видов злаковых трав (костреца безостого сорта Вегур, двукисточника тростникового сорта Урал, тимофеевки луговой сорта ВИК 9). В ходе исследований в сравнительном аспекте проанализированы образцы силоса из козлятника восточного, приготовленного с использованием смеси злаковых трав, содержащих в составе сахара, по эффективности их влияния на качество брожения и сохранность питательной ценности растительных кормов. Установлено, что при силосовании слабопровяленной массы козлятника восточного (7476 влажности) качество полученного корма заметно повышалось. Так, силос из массы козлятник злаки, скошенной в фазе бутонизации начала цветения, по содержанию и соотношению кислот уже соответствовал первому классу качества, а при более глубоком провяливании (6570 влажности) корм получился ещё более качественным. Исключением было лишь общее кислотообразование, которое более активно протекало в силосе из травосмеси клевер луговой люцерна злаки. Grassland management includes programs improving nutritional value of perennial legumes, increasing production of protein- and energy-rich forage as well as low-cost silage. This report presents the data on nutritional value of crops cultivated on drain land of the Non-Chernozem region. Experiments were carried out at the All-Russian Research Institute of Meliorated Lands. The field trial is located in the south-east of the Tver region. Highly productive swards of eastern goats rue Gale, smooth brome Vegur, reed canary grass Ural and common timothy VIK 9 performed as objects of the study. Silage samples were taken from mixtures of eastern goats rue and sugar-rich gramineous to analyze their fermentation quality and nutritional value. Silage produced from a grass mass containing 7476 of water had significantly better quality. Cutting grasses at the budding early flowering stage resulted in extra grade silage containing sufficient acid concentration and ratio. Longer prewilting (moisture content of 6570) improved forage quality. Acid synthesis was more active in the silage made from red clover alfalfa gramineous.

The effect of temperature on germination and seedling growth of temperate perennial pasture legumes.

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill ◽  
R Luck
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Sericea Lespedeza ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Leaf Appearance

Germination of 10 perennial pasture legumes, white clover, red clover, strawberry clover, lucerne, Caucasian clover, cicer milkvetch, crownvetch, birdsfoot trefoil, big trefoil and sericea lespedeza, was compared under five day/night temperature regimens: 24/20, 20/15, 15/10, 12/6 and 8/2�C. Growth of seedlings of Caucasian clover, birdsfoot trefoil, cicer milkvetch, crownvetch and sericea lespedeza was compared with that of white clover at four serial harvests over a 5-week period at the three highest temperatures. Three main patterns of germination were observed. Firstly, temperature had little effect on maximum percentage, time to first germination and rate of germination in lucerne. Secondly, all Trifolium species and birdsfoot trefoil exhibited reductions in rate of germination and increases in time to germination at the two lowest temperatures. Thirdly, the remaining species showed either very slow or no germination at the two lowest temperatures, where there were large reductions in the maximum germination where germination occurred. Seedling growth was characterized by better dry matter and leaf production from white and Caucasian clovers at 15/10�C than for the other species, but very marked increases in growth at the higher temperatures by the other four species. Lespedeza was always the least vigorous seedling, and birdsfoot trefoil and crownvetch grew as well or better than the Trifolium species at 24/20�C. Slow first leaf appearance in crownvetch and cicer milkvetch seemed to be associated with a much greater capacity for cotyledon expansion in these species. While Caucasian clover appears to be well suited for establishment under Australian conditions, promising species such as cicer milkvetch and crownvetch will require selection for better germination and seedling growth at low temperatures or the introduction of more winter active germplasm if they are to become useful plants in Australian pastures.

scholarly journals Clearing confusion in Stylosanthes taxonomy. 2. S. macrocephala M.B. Ferreira & Sousa Costa vs. S. capitata Vogel and S. bracteata Vogel

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-262
Author(s):  
Rainer Schultze-Kraft ◽  
Bruce G. Cook ◽  
Arsenio Ciprián
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Cytological Evidence ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Important Species ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Pasture Legume

Stylosanthes macrocephala was described as a new species in 1977 and has become an economically important pasture legume. It has recently been claimed to be conspecific with S. capitata, also an economically important species. This paper refutes this synonymization and summarizes morphological descriptions as well as genetic studies and cytological evidence indicating that diploid S. macrocephala should be considered a separate species, even being a likely progenitor of tetraploid S. capitata. Early confusion with S. bracteata is also discussed.

scholarly journals HERBAGE PRODUCTION OF PASTURE LEGUMES AT THREE SITES IN OTAGO

1975 ◽  
pp. 182-195
Author(s):  
R.B. Allen ◽  
I.R. Mcdonald ◽  
N.A. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
The Third ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Matter Production

White clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (T. pratense), subtcrrnnean clover (T. subterraneum) and alsike clover (T. hybridum) were sown singly or in combinations at three sites in Otago. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was included in all clover treatments and was also sown alone. Lucerne (Medicago sativa) was sown alone at two sites. Herbage dry matter production was measured over a three-year period. At the high fertility lnvermay site, white and red clovers gave similar total and legume dry matter production and were markedly superior to alsike and subterranean clovers. White and nlsike clovers were most productive at the higher altitude, low fertility Berwick site, and at the dry, medium fertility Dunback site red clover produced the highest yields. Lucerne greatly outyielded all other species in the second and third years at Invermay and in the third year at Dunback.

Point-of-sale evaluation of preinoculated and custom-inoculated pasture legume seed

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Gemell ◽  
E. J. Hartley ◽  
D. F. Herridge
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Legume Seed ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
Annual Medics ◽  
Assess Quality ◽  
Pasture Legume

During 1999–2003, 293 samples of preinoculated and custom-inoculated lucerne, subterranean clover, white clover, red clover and miscellaneous species (mainly other clovers) were sourced from commercial outlets and assessed for numbers of rhizobia, seed pellet pH and toxicity, and nodulation in a ‘grow-out’ test. Average rhizobial counts were 8400/seed for preinoculated lucerne, 1380/seed for subterranean clover and <100/seed for white and red clovers and for the miscellaneous species. These counts compared poorly with the average counts of 35 100/seed, 13 800/seed and 10 000/seed for freshly-inoculated lucerne, subterranean clover and white clover, respectively. Thus, overall pass rates of the preinoculated seed were reasonable for lucerne (73%), marginal for subterranean clover (32%) and very low for white clover (3%), red clover (4%) and the miscellaneous species (0%). The ‘grow-out’ tests for nodulation were positively correlated with rhizobial numbers on seed, confirming the use of plate counting of rhizobia to assess quality of pre- and custom-inoculated seed. Many of the seed pellets were toxic to the 2 clover rhizobial strains tested, although the toxicity did not affect numbers of rhizobia on the seed. In light of these results and other data on rhizobial survival on seed, we suggest the current Australian standards for rhizobial numbers on pasture legume seed at the time of sale of 500/seed (very small-seeded legumes with seed numbers >750 000/kg) and 1000/seed (other larger-seeded species, seed numbers <750 000/kg) remain in place. We recommend shelf lives be restricted to 6 months for preinoculated lucerne and the annual medics, to 6 weeks for preinoculated subterranean clover, and to 2 weeks for white clover, red clover and other miscellaneous species. In the long-term, new products and procedures will hopefully enhance the numbers and survival of rhizobia on seed such that the needs of both manufacturers and customers are satisfied.

A second generation of annual pasture legumes and their potential for inclusion in Mediterranean-type farming systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Loi ◽  
J. G. Howieson ◽  
B. J. Nutt ◽  
S. J. Carr
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Ley Farming ◽  
Acid Tolerant ◽  
Annual Medics ◽  
Pasture Legume

A second generation of annual pasture legumes and their root-nodule bacteria has been released to agriculture in Mediterranean-type environments. These new species emanate from selection activity focussed upon ‘alternative legumes’. In 1992, in response to changing constraints upon production, a program was initiated which sought species with different ideotypic traits to the traditional annual medics and clovers used in agriculture in southern Australia. Traits sought in the new species were deeper root systems, improved persistence from higher hardseed levels, acid tolerant symbioses, tolerance to pests and diseases and ease of harvesting with conventional cereal harvesters. Several cultivars of species new to Australian agriculture such as biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus), French serradella (Ornithopus sativus), gland clover (Trifolium glanduliferum) and improved varieties of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus) were developed and have had rapid adoption and impact in southern Australian ley- and phase-farming systems. This paper reviews the importance of ley farming for Australian agriculture, the shortcomings of the traditional medics and clovers and the imperatives for a second generation of annual pasture legume species to be developed. In addition to enhancing ley farming, the commercial availability of a second generation of annual pasture legume species has provided a much needed impetus for the development of more flexible and sustainable farming systems.

Establishment, survival, and herbage production of novel, summer-active perennial pasture legumes in the low-rainfall cropping zone of Western Australia as affected by plant density and cutting frequency

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalith D. B. Suriyagoda ◽  
Daniel Real ◽  
Michael Renton ◽  
Hans Lambers ◽  
Megan H. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Cutting Frequency ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Perennial Legumes

Herbaceous perennial legumes that can provide forage in the summer–autumn dry period are urgently required in Mediterranean climates to complement annual pastures and the perennial legume lucerne (Medicago sativa). This study evaluated the establishment, survival, and herbage production of tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) and Cullen spp. native to Australia. Two experiments were replicated at Buntine (warmer site) and Newdegate (cooler site) in the low-rainfall cropping zone (<350 mm average annual rainfall) of Western Australia from June 2008 to September 2010. In the first experiment, established by transplanting seedlings, survival and herbage production of two accessions each of B. bituminosa and C. australasicum were studied under densities of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 plants/m2 with 0, 1, 2, or 3 cuts in summer–autumn in addition to a winter–spring cut. In the second experiment, established from seed, emergence and survival of several accessions of B. bituminosa, C. australasicum, and M. sativa were studied, along with C. pallidum and C. cinereum. In the first experiment, B. bituminosa survived better than C. australasicum (70–80% v. 18–45%), especially at Buntine, but there was little impact of density or cutting frequency on survival. Plant death was highest during summer. Shoot dry weight (DW) accumulation varied greatly with site, year, and plant density. When rainfall was close to average, shoot DW was greater at Newdegate (B. bituminosa ≤7.4 t/ha, C. australasicum ≤4.5 t/ha) than at Buntine (≤2.3 t/ha), and both species produced much of their shoot DW in summer–autumn (e.g. 6 t/ha for B. bituminosa and 3 t/ha for C. australasicum at Newdegate). An early-summer cut reduced the DW that could be harvested later in summer–autumn. In the second experiment, emergence of B. bituminosa was either similar to, or higher than, emergence of the other species, being 43% at Buntine and 44% at Newdegate. Survival of B. bituminosa, compared with M. sativa, was similar at Buntine (13%) and slightly lower at Newdegate (14%). Emergence and survival of Cullen spp. varied among species and accessions, with survival of the best performing accession of C. australasicum (SA4966) similar to that of B. bituminosa and M. sativa at both sites. We conclude that B. bituminosa shows promise as a perennial summer forage for low-rainfall zones, with a density of 8–16 plants/m2 and cutting frequency of 3 cuts/year (i.e. cut twice in summer–autumn), while C. australasicum and C. pallidum warrant further study.

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