Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and greater lotus (Lotus uliginosus) in perennial pastures in eastern Australia. 1. Effects of grazing management on persistence

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 503 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
M. J. Blumenthal ◽  
J. W. O'Connor ◽  
L. A. Lane ◽  
H. I. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
South Coast ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lotus Uliginosus

A study was undertaken in the Perennial Pasture Zone in New South Wales, Australia, to investigate the potential of lotus-based pastures (greater lotus, Lotus uliginosus Schukr.; birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus L.) to improve grazing production. The study was based on a methodology that combined a grazing experiment to determine the effects of grazing management on lotus persistence, with a co-learning phase to assess the adaptation and applications of lotus across the high rainfall zone. The present paper reports on the grazing experiment that was replicated in 4 regions (North Coast, South Coast, Northern Tablelands, Southern Tablelands) and that included combinations of grazing strategy (summer rest, autumn rest, 14-day spell or 28-day spell), grazing intensity (low or high herbage mass), Lotus species and cultivar (L. uliginosus cvv. Grasslands Maku, Sharnae; L. corniculatus cv. Grasslands Goldie or ‘Spanish’ breeding line) and companion grass (sown or volunteer) treatments. The experiment provided results for the establishment and botanical presence of both Lotus species, and the expression of their persistence mechanisms in these 4 environments. Greater lotus cv. Grasslands Maku established best under coastal conditions and birdsfoot trefoil cv. Grasslands Goldie established best under tablelands conditions. The degree of nodulation of greater lotus cv. Sharnae and birdsfoot trefoil cv. Grasslands Goldie was less than nodulation of greater lotus cv. Grasslands Maku, but nodulation had no apparent effect on seedling vigour. The population density of all Lotus cultivars declined substantially at the North Coast, South Coast and Southern Tablelands sites during severe drought conditions. However, both birdsfoot trefoil cv. Grasslands Goldie and greater lotus cv. Grasslands Maku remained relatively stable at the Northern Tablelands site with greater lotus cv. Grasslands Maku maintaining 20–40% presence and birdsfoot trefoil cv. Grasslands Goldie retaining 30–50% presence, depending on time of year. In general, there was little effect of grazing management practice on arresting the decline in lotus presence due to drought, or on enhancing the regeneration processes associated with lotus persistence.

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and greater lotus (Lotus uliginosus) in perennial pastures in eastern Australia. 2. Adaptation and applications of lotus-based pasture

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
M. J. Blumenthal ◽  
L. A. Lane ◽  
J. W. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lotus Uliginosus

This co-learning study with greater lotus (Lotus uliginosus Schukr.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) was undertaken in the Perennial Pasture Zone of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in conjunction with 14 community groups. The overall study combined a field experiment investigating grazing management practices with a co-learning study assessing the adaptation and potential applications of these 2 Lotus species. The present paper reports on the co-learning study. Seventeen sites were established on farms situated in the North Coast, Northern Tablelands, North West Slopes, South Coast and Southern Tablelands regions of NSW. Of the 17 co-learning sites, greater lotus or birdsfoot trefoil was established successfully and yielded useful findings at 9 of 10 sites in northern NSW and 3 of 7 sites in southern NSW. Establishment failure of greater lotus or birdsfoot trefoil at the 5 remaining sites was associated with severe drought conditions at, or shortly following, sowing. Results from across the 4 regions are collated to report on the adaptation of the 2 Lotus species to a diversity of climatic, edaphic and management applications. The study has confirmed that greater lotus is a valuable perennial legume for high rainfall coastal plains, coastal low-lands, coastal hill-country and niche tablelands environments where the average annual rainfall (AAR) exceeds 1000 mm. Significantly, the study shows that birdsfoot trefoil has important potential for low fertility acidic soils on tablelands and slopes where the AAR is 650–1000 mm, especially in northern NSW.

Large-scale patterns in species richness and composition of temperate riverine fish communities, south-eastern Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Gehrke ◽  
John H. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
South Coast ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Large Spatial Scale ◽  
River Types ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Riverine Fish

Riverine fish in New South Wales were studied to examine longitudinal trends in species richness and to identify fish communities on a large spatial scale. Five replicate rivers of four types (montane, slopes, regulated lowland and unregulated lowland) were selected from North Coast, South Coast, Murray and Darling regions. Fishwere sampled during summer and winter in two consecutive years with standardized gear that maximized the range of species caught. The composition of fish communities varied among regions and river types, with little temporal variation. Distinct regional communities converged in montane reaches and diverged downstream. The fish fauna can be classified into North Coast, South Coast, Murray and Darling communities, with a distinct montane community at high elevations irrespective of the drainage division. Species richness increased downstream in both North Coast and South Coast regions by both replacement and the addition of new species. In contrast, species richness in the Darling and Murray regions reached a maximum in the slopes reaches and then declined, reflecting a loss of species in lowland reaches. The small number of species is typical of the freshwater fish faunas of similar climatic regions world-wide. Fish communities identified in this study form logical entities for fisheries management consistent with the ecosystem-focused, catchment-based approach to river management and water reform being adopted in Australia.

Regeneration characteristics of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in low latitude environments in eastern Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 833 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
W. M. Kelman ◽  
L. A. Lane ◽  
B. E. McCorkell
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Perennial Legume

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a perennial pasture legume with adaptive characteristics and agronomic potential for permanent pastures in the high rainfall temperate zone in eastern Australia. Most birdsfoot trefoil cultivars have been developed for high latitude (>40° north or south) locations, and have long photoperiod (>16 h) requirements for flowering. However, at low latitude (28–32°S) in northern New South Wales (NSW), daylength (~14 h on the summer solstice) provides insufficient photoperiod to stimulate flowering and the level of seed-set needed for effective seedling recruitment. As a precursor to breeding, a study was undertaken to characterise a collection of birdsfoot trefoil populations from low latitude origins. Eight cultivars, two breeding lines and 38 accessions were assessed for flowering prolificacy, seed-set, morphological characteristics and seasonal herbage growth at two sites in northern NSW (Glen Innes 29°42′S, Armidale 30°31′S). None of the cultivars expressed reproductive processes with sufficient intensity to provide the level of seed-set necessary for regeneration. However, three accessions consistently flowered strongly at both sites and expressed desirable agronomic characteristics, and a further 10 accessions and the Australian germplasm BLVR5 flowered strongly at least at one of two sites. These populations provide a genetic base for future cultivar development, so that birdsfoot trefoil might become a perennial legume option for northern NSW and other low latitude regions.

scholarly journals Some factors limiting the success of Lotus corniculatus in hill and high country

1990 ◽  
pp. 147-150
Author(s):  
H.M. Chapman ◽  
W.L. Lowthe ◽  
K.D. Trainor
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Resident Species ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Inoculation Techniques ◽  
Companion Species

Establishment and management problems have been identified as limitations to the productivity of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in hill and high country environments. Nodulation failures owing to ineffective inoculation techniques, low seedling vigour, and slow initiation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation are major problems in establishment. Competition from resident species and inappropriate grazing management can lead to poor persistence and stand performance. Recommendations to improve establishment, persistence and productivity include inoculating at 5 times the manufacturer's stipulated rate and drilling, witbin 24 hours of inoculation, at no more than 12 mm depth Weed control is essential. Stands should be sown pure or with non aggressive companion species, and rotationally grazed. Keywords Lotus corniculatus, birdsfoot trefoil, establishment, N fixation, inoculation, management

Developing birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) varieties for permanent pasture applications in low latitude regions of eastern Australia

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 488 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
W. M. Kelman ◽  
S. G. Wiedemann ◽  
L. A. Lane ◽  
B. E. McCorkell
Keyword(s):  
Germination Rate ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Phenotypic Selection ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Selection For

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a potentially important alternative legume for recharge landscapes in the high rainfall zone in eastern Australia. However, in the summer rainfall region in northern New South Wales (NSW) where birdsfoot trefoil has the greatest potential application, flowering and seed set are limited by short daylength. Consequently, existing birdsfoot trefoil cultivars do not set enough seed to develop a seedbank that sustains a productive persistent stand. A breeding program was undertaken to develop birdsfoot trefoil cultivars adapted to short photoperiod to increase the area sown to deep-rooted perennials in the grazing lands in eastern Australia. Three new birdsfoot trefoil experimental varieties, Phoenix, Venture and Matador, were developed through: (1) phenotypic selection within cv. Grasslands Goldie for flowering intensity and pod set, (2) phenotypic selection for these same traits in a broader sample of 49 world-sourced lines, and (3) selection for prostrate growth habit among progeny of pair-crosses between erect and prostrate accessions identified as productive in southern NSW. Following two cycles of selection for flowering prolificacy and pod set, the average number of umbels per stem in the Goldie-derived populations was five times greater than in the commercial Goldie population; this response to selection closely approximated the predicted response based on previous estimates of heritability and phenotypic variance for this trait. In comparison with Goldie, the Syn1 and Syn2 populations of the three experimental varieties consistently expressed earlier flowering maturity and higher seed yield potential in glasshouse and field trials in northern NSW. While germination rate and seedling vigour of the three experimental varieties was slightly less than Goldie, intensive selection pressure on reproductive traits did not compromise seasonal herbage production.

PRIMING AS THE FACTOR OF INCREASE OF EFFICIENCY SEED PRODUCTION OF BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Zolotarev
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Characteristic Property ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Germination Energy ◽  
Field Germination

A characteristic property of legumes is the formation of hard-stone seeds. To use such seeds for sowing, it is necessary to carry out measures to increase their seeding indicators. The article provides an overview of methods of pre-sowing preparation of seeds, priming (Seed Priming). The harvest of Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) can contain up to 90% or more hard-stone seeds. Mechanical priming of hard-stone seeds of Birdsfoot trefoil increases their germination energy and field germination.

SOD-SEEDING BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL IN ESTABLISHED ORCHARDGRASS WITH OVERALL OR BANDED HERBICIDES

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. NICHOLS ◽  
R. A. PETERS
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L. ’Viking’) was seeded directly into a predominantly orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) sward following overall or banded applications of paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4, 4′-bipyridinium ion, as dichloride salt) or glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine, as isopropylamine salt] to determine the degree of sward control necessary for stand establishment without tillage. Effects of the herbicide treatments and the seeding on botanical composition and dry matter production were determined by a vertical intercept technique and by hand separations of harvests into botanical components. Trefoil establishment was proportional to the degree of sward control during the seeding year. Little trefoil was established by direct seeding without herbicides. The banded herbicide treatments were less effective than overall herbicide applications for trefoil establishment. Trefoil yield obtained following overall application of paraquat was approximately 65% of that obtained following overall glyphosate treatment.Key words: Dactylis glomerata, glyphosate, Lotus corniculatus, herbicide, no-tillage, paraquat

SELF-INCOMPATIBILITY AS AN OUTCROSSING MECHANISM IN BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL (LOTUS CORNICULATUS)

1966 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Miri ◽  
J. S. Bubar
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Self Incompatibility ◽  
Compatible Pollen ◽  
Double Cross

Studies using pubescence and cyanogenesis as genetic markers indicate that a high proportion of self-seed is set when selfing is followed by pollinations with mixtures of self- and cross-pollen. Also, considerable selective fertilization occurs when pollination is with mixtures of compatible pollen. It is suggested that the incompatibility mechanism may be used for commercial production of "double-cross hybrids" of trefoil.

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