Morphological and agronomic attributes of Cassia rotundifolia Pers., C. pilosa L., and C. trichopoda Benth., potential forage legumes for northern Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
RW Strickland ◽  
RG Greenfield ◽  
GPM Wilson ◽  
GL Harvey

This paper reports variation in phenology, morphology, feeding value and environmental adaptation of 18 accessions of Cassia rotundifolia and one each of C. pilosa and C. trichopoda. There were three major maturity groups within C. rotundifolia and a very large variation in seed size. Dry matter and seed yields were measured at four sites in south-eastern Queensland (Beerwah, Gatton, Gympie and Narayen) and at Grafton in New South Wales. There was significant variation in these attributes between accessions, sites and harvest times. All accessions were adapted to light-textured surface soils but did not tolerate waterlogging, particularly on the clay soil at Gatton. One early-flowering accession (34721) of C. rotundifolia has been released for commercial use because of its general performance over the range of seasons and sites that were sampled in this investigation, and prior experience of its persistence and spread under intermittent grazing at a number of sites in Queensland and the Northern Territory. C. rotundifolia and C. pilosa were acceptable animal feeds, but C. trichopoda had deleterious effects on laboratory rats.

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
DK Muldoon

Summer forage legumes from the species Vigna unguiculata, Macroptilium lathyroides, Lablab purpureus, Arachis hypogaea and Glycine max were grown under irrigation at Trangie, New South Wales. Dry matter accumulation and plant development were recorded in primary growth and three subsequent regrowths. Plant fractions were analysed for nitrogen, sulfur and sodium during primary growth. In primary growth lablab produced the highest dry matter yield of 14 t/ha. This was attributed to very late flowering (110 days) and woody stems able to support this bulk. In contrast, cowpea lodged after producing 7 t/ha. Soybean produced 10 t/ha of dry matter but rapid leaf abscission detracted from its forage potential. Phasey bean was an excellent species under a 6-week cutting regime, yielding 10 t/ha from four cuts. In contrast to other species, it branched rapidly and extensively from basal buds. The basal branching and prostrate growth habit of peanut enabled it to yield 9 t/ha from three cuts. The leaves of all species contained over 3% nitrogen; mature stems had only half this concentration. Phasey bean and cowpea had much higher sodium contents (1040 and 1535 ppm at 10 weeks) than lablab (335), peanut (80), and soybean (165), the latter three being below recommended levels for animal production. All species contained satisfactory levels of sulfur (0.21, 0.30, 0.20, 0.18 and 0.17% in phasey bean, cowpea, lablab, peanut and soybean, respectively, at 10 weeks).


1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
DF Herridge ◽  
AD Doyle

Experiments were commenced in 1978 to evaluate the impact of the narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) on production of subsequent wheat crops in the N-infertile, acidic soils of the Pilliga Scrub region of northern New South Wales. There were four sites. Production of lupin dry matter (shoots, roots) ranged from 5.0 (Florida A) to 11.4 t ha-1 (Kamala), reflecting seasonal rainfall and crop management. Lupin seed yields varied between 1.29 (Florida A) and 2.03 t ha-1 (Kamala); at two of the sites, yields were greater than the yields achieved by the adjacent wheat crops. At Spring Creek, the wheat was not harvested for grain due to the extremely poor plant growth. Seasonal profiles of C2H2 reduction by each of the four lupin crops reflected growth characteristics; maximum activity coincided with rapid accumulation of dry mater. Diurnal profiles of C2H2 reduction were unaffected by plant age. Rates peaked around noon after rapidly increasing from minimum pre-dawn levels. Total N2 fixed by each of the lupin crops was estimated by comparing N Yields of the lupin and wheat crops. The various methods used resulted in almost identical estimates of N2 fixation at Kamala (215-218 kg ha-') and Spring Creek (222-228 kg ha-'). Estimates . of N2 fixed by the two Florida crops ranged from 72 to 101 (Florida A) and from 82 to 134 kg ha-' (Florida B). The data indicate that large amounts of N can be fixed by field-grown lupins, amounts well in excess of the quantities of N harvested in the seed.


1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (82) ◽  
pp. 739 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Scott ◽  
H Brownlee

Dry matter production and seed yields of a range of annual legumes grown in ungrazed swards were measured between 1966 and 1971 on seven sites in the low rainfall wheatbelt of central western New South Wales. Jemalong and Hannaford barrel medics (Medicago truncatula) were the highest yielding medic cultivars tested. Jemalong medic was slightly superior to Hannaford in dry matter production but seed yields were equal. The short season subterranean clovers (Trifolium subterraneum), Dwalganup and Geraldton, yielded much less dry matter and seed than the medics in most experiments. Although the mid-season subterranean clovers, Woogenellup and Clare, persisted for the duration of our experiments, their production was not as consistent as that of the medics, and plant densities decreased. The rose clovers (T. hirtum), Sirint and Kondinin, the cupped clovers (T. cherleri), Beenong and Yamina, and Snail (M. scutellata) and Paragosa (M. rugosa) medics did not produce satisfactory swards.


1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 759 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
MG McMillan

Three experiments were conducted at Tamworth, New South Wales, in 1990-92 to assess the effects of a range of broadleaf and grass herbicides, 6 rates of glyphosate and paraquat + diquat, and 4 rates of 2,4-D amine and diuron on the phytotoxicity, dry matter yield, inflorescence number, and seed yield of established Danthonia (wallaby grass) plants. Phytotoxicity was scored visually on a 0-5 scale (0, no phytotoxicity; 5, 100%). Danthonia dry matter yields were not affected (P<0.05) by any herbicide tested, except glyphosate applied at 2360 g a.i./ha. Phytotoxicity was highest for the glyphosate treatment (1440 g a.i./ha) in that study. All rates of glyphosate, and paraquat + diquat rates >250 + 150 g a.i./ha reduced (P<0.05) inflorescence number compared with the unsprayed control. Paraquat + diquat had no significant effect on seed yield, but glyphosate rates >360 g a.i./ha reduced (P<0.05) seed yield compared with the control. In 1992, no damage was observed on 2,4-D amine treatments and phytotoxicity scores were low (<2) for all diuron treatments. Danthonia inflorescence numbers and seed yields were higher (P<0.05) on plots mown in early spring than on unmown treatments. The lack of effect of herbicides such as diclofopmethyl, simazine, fenoxaprop-ethyl, and diuron on Danthonia dry matter yield, and the low phytotoxicity, indicated that a range of chemicals may be used on established Danthonia swards to control perennial and annual grass weeds. Seed yield was more affected than dry matter yield by herbicide, and paraquat + diquat should be used in preference to glyphosate on seed crops.


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).


1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge

Plots sown in 1983 were used to examine the seed production and reserves (residual hardseeds) of 15 annual legumes over 5 years at Tamworth in northern New South Wales. Seed production characteristics were measured in 1983 for these annuals, and for 6 perennial legumes. After the annuals had set seed in 1983, an area of the plots was sprayed to prevent flowering in subsequent years, and the rates of decline in seed reserves were compared with those from areas that seeded annually. Seed yields of the perennials were often significantly lower than those of the annuals except Trifolium glomeratum. Seed yields of T. subterraneum var. subterraneum cvv. Seaton Park and Woogenellup were significantly higher than those of cv. Nungarin and T. subterrarzeum var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare. Seed numbers were lowest for Medicago scutellata cv. Sava among the annual medics, and for Nungarin among subterranean clovers. There was little relationship between the mean number of seeds produced from 1983-86 and maturity grading, and between seed numbers and relative dry matter yield. Seed reserves decreased over 5 years by more than 90% in the sprayed treatments of all species. This decrease was not continuous, with the largest declines occurring from December 1983 to August 1984. In the sprayed treatments of Seaton Park, Woogenellup, and Clare, and in both treatments of Astragalus hamosus cv. Ioman, Vicia dasycarpa var. villosa cv. Namoi, and T. hirtum cv. Hykon, none of the original 1983 seed was recovered in 1987. For the annual medics and Nungarin, the number of residual hardseeds in the sprayed treatments in 1987 was about 3-5% of the seed produced in 1983. From 1983 to 1987, seed numbers in the unsprayed treatments declined by 7040% for the annual medics and by 85-95% for Seaton Park, Woogenellup, and Clare. Long-term persistence of annual medics and Nungarin depended on seed production in most years and the maintenance of a high number of residual hardseeds in the soil. In contrast, the mid- and late-maturing subterranean clovers Woogenellup and Clare had low seed reserves and were dependent on seed production in most years for their continued regeneration.


1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Anderson ◽  
R. D. B. Lefroy ◽  
G. J. Blair

Summary. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to study the correlation between various soil sulfur (S) extractants and pasture response to applied S grown under controlled environmental conditions (glasshouse) as influenced by variations in levels of extractable S. Intact paired soil cores were collected at 2-month intervals from an S x P factorial experiment at 4 field sites on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales on 11 occasions. Soil samples were collected from each core and the cores placed in the glasshouse. Sulfur was applied to one core of each pair and basal nutrients applied to all cores which were then oversown with white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Haifa). The extractable S in the soil was analysed using the following techniques: 0.1 mol Ca(H2PO4)2/L (MCPt); 0.1 mol Ca(H2PO4)2/L, treated with activated charcoal (MCPi); water (H2O); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 40°C for 3 h (KCl-40); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 100°C for 4 h (KCl-100); 0.5 mol NaHCO3/L (NaHCO3); and an acid digestion of the soil (total). Dry matter yield and S content of the pasture shoots were measured for each 2-month growth period. The relationship between the various soil S extraction techniques and the response of pasture to applied S varied over time and was influenced by the level of inorganic S present in the soil and the amount of organic S extracted. When the level of MCPi-extractable S ranged between 2 and 22 µg S/g soil due to the application of fertiliser (summer 1987–88 and autumn 1988), or after a period of high mineralisation rates (spring 1988), the MCPi, MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques had the highest correlation with the increase in S content of the pasture when S was applied. The higher correlation for the MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques than the MCPi technique indicates that plants obtained some S from the organic S pool. In contrast, when the levels of MCPi-extractable S ranged between 2 and 10 µg S/g soil and the rate of mineralisation increased in response to an increase in soil temperature (June 1988 and June 1989) or moisture (September 1989) upon transfer of samples from the field to the glasshouse, the MCPt, H2O and KCl-40 techniques underestimated the available S pool and had lower r2 values than either the KCl-100 or NaHCO3 techniques.


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.


1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (50) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Murtagh

The effectiveness of chemical seedbed preparation for sod-sown oats was studied using varying intervals between spraying and sowing. Four herbicides were compared in a second experiment. Both experiments were conducted on paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) dominant pastures on red basaltic soil on the North Coast of New South Wales. Herbicides were most effective when applied at 6.7 kg acid equivalent a hectare. At this rate, the highest yields of dry matter and nitrogen were obtained when there was a three-week interval and considerably less when there was no interval. A mixture of 2,2-DPA (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) and amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) was more effective than 2,2-DPA alone with a three-week spraying interval but there was no difference with a six-week interval. Both amitrole and a mixture of amitrole and ammonium thiocyanate were ineffective for chemical seedbed preparation on paspalum pastures;


1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Tow

The persistence and water use efficiency of Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha and Hunter river lucerne were compared on red solodic soil with a hardsetting surface and poor internal drainage, on the North- West Slopes of New South Wales. After prolonged watering, the profile was wet to a depth of 48 � 1.5 cm, with an available moisture store of 90 mm. Over 3 years, persistence of digitaria was excellent. The population of lucerne was reduced following flooding at summer temperatures, Dry matter production of nitrogen (N) fertilised digitaria per mm warm season rainfall was similar to that of tropical grasses adapted to comparable rainfall environments in subtropical Queensland. Lucerne dry matter per mm rainfall was only about half that of digitaria (3.2 v. 6.3 kg). Lucerne grew well in mixture with digitaria except under prolonged wet soil conditions in summer. Artificial solodic profiles were constructed in the glasshouse to compare digitaria and lucerne in monoculture and mixture under varying temperature, moisture, and N regimes. Lucerne showed sensitivity to both high and low moisture levels at summer temperatures but performed very well at spring temperatures and moderate moisture levels where the mean evapotranspiration ratio was 400 g water per g dry matter. Water use efficiency was higher in digitaria than in lucerne, except at spring temperatures without added N. Water use efficiency of the mixture was always similar to that of the most efficient monoculture of the particular treatment.


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