scholarly journals Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) Persistence Remains Unchanged under Variable Cutting Regimes

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Vivianne F. Burnett ◽  
Kym L. Butler ◽  
Jeff R. Hirth ◽  
Meredith L. Mitchell ◽  
Steve G. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
New South ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Short Intervals ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Regimes ◽  
Lower Plant

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) persistence is important for farming systems in south east Australia. Defoliation of lucerne that is too frequent (arguably more than once every six weeks) reduces yield and accelerates stand decline. Three experiments were conducted in south east Australia (Burraja, New South Wales; Rutherglen and Hamilton, Victoria) to investigate different cutting regimes on lucerne persistence. At Burraja lucerne was cut 16 (lax) or 33 (severe) times over three years at different plant densities. At Rutherglen and Hamilton lucerne was cut every 21 days (short rotation), every 42 days (long rotation), when new shoots (2.5 cm long) emerged (new shoots) or cutting when new shoots emerged but allowing the lucerne to flower in autumn (new shoots flowering). It was hypothesised that the frequent cutting of lucerne would result in lower plant densities. At Burraja there was little difference between treatments at any density or assessment. At Hamilton, apart from the assessment in June 2016, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments. At Rutherglen, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments at any assessment although plant numbers declined in 2016 from waterlogging. The results provide evidence that lucerne has intrinsic mechanisms that protect it from cutting, often at short intervals, thus promoting its persistence over three to four-year periods.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Winter-Active Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) to Different Grazing Regimes

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivianne Burnett ◽  
Jeff Hirth ◽  
Kym Butler ◽  
Meredith Mitchell ◽  
Steve Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
New South ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Summer Growth

Lucerne (alfalfa; Medicago sativa L.) is the key forage for grazing in dryland temperate regions around the world. While rotational grazing of lucerne is recommended, in southern Australia the intervals between grazing events are often chosen in an opportunistic manner, to meet livestock production targets and utilise excessive spring and summer growth. To assess whether the persistence of lucerne is sensitive to variations in rotational grazing management practice, we report on an experiment with four sheep grazing treatments that was conducted for 2.5 years, including three summers, in southern New South Wales. The grazing management treatments were a crash-grazing control, frequent grazing, feed-based rotational grazing and time-based rotational grazing, replicated four times. The number of grazing events, percentage of time under grazing, lucerne top dry matter (DM) at the beginning and end of grazing periods and plant density were measured. The results relating to number of grazing events, percentage of time grazing and DM removed during grazing indicated that four grazing practices had been achieved. The treatments all had significant periods of rest for at least 73% of time and were empirically different in their approach but resulted in similar grazing pressures, in terms of overall pasture removed during grazing. Nevertheless, there was little difference in lucerne densities between grazing treatments over the life of the experiment. We conclude that there is flexibility in the rotational management of grazed lucerne provided adequate rest periods are part of the management program.

Populations of Sinorhizobium meliloti congregate in the 30 - 60 cm section of the soil profile in a stand of dryland lucerne (Medicago sativa): is this where lucerne fixes its nitrogen?

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Evans ◽  
N. A. Fettell ◽  
J. Brockwell
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Sinorhizobium Meliloti ◽  
New South ◽  
Red Clay ◽  
Plant Infection ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Very High

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Hunterfield was inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti and sown in a red clay loam at Condobolin, New South Wales. The soil had been limed at 6 different rates 8 years previously. In 2001, when the stands were 3 years old, the populations of S. meliloti were enumerated, with a plant-infection test, in 4 sections of the soil profile (i.e. 0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, 30–60 cm and >60 cm). The numbers of rhizobia in the soil were very high (120 000 rhizobia/g) in the 30–60 cm section. In sharp contrast, much lower numbers (0–15 cm, 75 rhizobia/g; 15–30 cm, 190 rhizobia/g; >60 cm, 287 rhizobia/g) were detected in the other sections of profile. Liming had no effect on size of S. meliloti population. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the experiment, it was reasonable to assume that lucerne nodulated most abundantly between 30–60 cm below ground. This zone may represent the location of maximum nitrogen fixation. Some implications of the conclusions are discussed.

The adoption of short-rotation energy cropping as a new land use option in the New South Wales Central West

Rural Society ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Baumber ◽  
John Merson ◽  
Peter Ampt ◽  
Mark Diesendorf
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Rotation Energy

scholarly journals Producing over 40 t dry matter/ha per year through a complementary forage rotation system

2006 ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C. Garcia ◽  
W.J. Fulkerson ◽  
S. Kenny ◽  
R. Nettle
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Legume Crop ◽  
Rotation System ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Forage Rape

A long-term field study is being conducted in New South Wales, Australia, to evaluate the feasibility of producing over 40 t DM/ha/year with a triple crop, complementary forage rotation (CFR) system. The CFR comprises a bulk crop (maize); a break crop (forage rape) and a legume crop capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (clover). The control is a well managed kikuyu-based pasture oversown with short rotation ryegrass each autumn. Treatments are replicated four times and data from the first 2 years are reported. Over 40 t DM/ha/year was either utilised by grazing or harvested mechanically from the CFR system in the first 2 years. This compares to almost 18 t DM/ha/year of utilised pasture for the control pasture system. In practice, these results indicate that dairy farmers in Australia can increase productivity by growing more forage on-farm with increased efficiency. The systems are designed to complement, rather than substitute, pasture-based systems. Keywords: complementary forage rotation, pasture, crop, dairy

scholarly journals Management of lucerne in the cool season

1990 ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
J.G.H. White ◽  
W.J. Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Root Reserves ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The performance of dormant and winter-active lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars was compared under sheep grazing in 2 experiments during the cool season. The objectives were to define the cool season management required for winter active cultivars in sheep farming systems. The 'winter-active cultivars Matador and Rere yielded 1760 and 1220 kg DM/ha compared with 890 and 760 kg from Wairau and Saranac respectively in mid-winter, while the reverse occurred in spring when dormant cultivars yielded 50% more than the winter active. This was related to differing levels of non-structural carbohydrates in roots, which had declined to insignificant levels in Rere and Matador by early spring. June grazing increased spring yields of Wairau by 35% due to control of overwintering aphids, but reduced yield of Rere by 25% due to effects on root reserves. Early September grazing greatly - reduced subsequent lucerne yields at late October and early December grazings, and increased the content of weeds. Our findings show that if farmers graze winter-active lucerne with sheep in winter the advantage in production disappears in spring. Cool-season management which combines the use of dormant and winter-active lucernes is discussed. Keywords winter-active lucerne, dormant lucerne, cool-season grazing, root reserves, lucerne grazing management

If long fallow cropping is leaky then shallow groundwaters on the Liverpool Plains should be of recent origin

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Young ◽  
A. Broughton ◽  
J. M. Bradd ◽  
J. F. Holland
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
New South ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Recent Origin ◽  
Unexpected Outcome

Previous groundwater studies have indicated that up to 195 000 ha of the Liverpool Plains catchment, south of Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia, are at risk from shallow saline watertables. Replacement of hydraulically stable, native perennial grasslands with more ‘leaky’ annual cropping systems since the 1950s, particularly long fallow wheat–sorghum rotations, has been held responsible for an apparent increased frequency of shallow watertables and saline discharge. If so, then it follows that shallow groundwater in the alluvium will be recent (less than about 30 years old) and the solution to the problem is a straightforward reduction in deep drainage under farming systems via increased evapotranspiration. However, in this study, we have found levels of bomb pulse tritium in shallow groundwaters that indicate that about half of the shallow groundwaters in the Mooki subcatchment pre-date current agricultural practices. A hypothesis for this unexpected outcome suggests that the problem is complex and that solutions need to be site-specific.

Weed control when establishing irrigated lucerne (Medicago sativa)

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (75) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
WL Felton ◽  
AC Gleeson
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Poa Annua ◽  
Barnyard Grass ◽  
South Wales

Three experiments were done at Tamworth, New South Wales, on weed control during lucerne establishment. In experiment 1, autumn sown, trifluralin incorporated in the soil eight weeks before sowing provided better control than benefin of grasses (mainly Poa annua) and deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule). Neither of these treatments controlled shepherds purse (Capsella bursa pastoris), reduced lucerne density nor increased its yield. Post emergent treatment with 2,4-DB or prometryne increased lucerne yield, the latter being the more effective. In experiment 2, also autumn sown, the problem weeds were deadnettle and shepherds purse. Trifluralin and benefin both increased lucerne yield when applied either one or three weeks before sowing, but hay quality, as gauged by weed contamination, was not improved. Post emergent application of prometryne increased lucerne yield and improved the quality of the hay. Experiment 3 was spring sown. The problem weed, barnyard grass (Echinochloa spp), was controlled by benefin and trifluralin, resulting in greater lucerne yield and better hay quality. Trifluralin was more effective when applied three weeks before sowing compared with one week.

Seasonal growth of an Australian cultivar of creeping-rooted lucerne (Medicago sativa)

1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (34) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Daday ◽  
JW Peak ◽  
T Launders ◽  
DG Cameron ◽  
GB Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Summer Temperatures

Stand density after establishment and yield of the first Australian creeping-rooted lucerne bred in Canberra, were compared with those of the cultivars Hunter River, Hairy Peruvian, Du Puits, and African under markedly differing climatic conditions in 13 trials in eastern, southern, and south-western Australia. A highly significant cultivar X locality interaction was detected in each of the three seasons (spring, summer, and winter) in which yield was measured. Differences in the relative yield of Hunter River and the creeping-rooted lucerne in environments differing in temperature account, in part, for this effect. In environments of moderate summer temperatures such as the tablelands of New South Wales and Tasmania, the sward yields of the new cuitivar measured in spring, summer, and winter were similar to those of Hunter River, but were significantly inferior in areas with high summer temperatures.

Identifying potential approaches to improve the reliability of terminating a lucerne pasture before cropping: a review

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Davies ◽  
M. B. Peoples
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Mixed Cropping ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Farmer Surveys ◽  
Storage Reserves

In the mixed cropping regions of Australia, the perennial fodder legume lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is being utilised to improve the sustainability of farming systems through improving soil fertility and reducing groundwater recharge. However, the full rotational benefits of lucerne cannot be realised without a reliable approach to terminate the lucerne phase before cropping. Farmer surveys have identified difficulties in successfully removing lucerne before cropping as a significant problem with lucerne-based phase-farming systems. In 1 survey up to 40% of the respondents were not satisfied with the level of lucerne control they were achieving, while in another survey 49% indicated that lucerne removal issues were a constraint to further adoption of lucerne on their farms. Most growers used herbicides to kill lucerne, usually in conjunction with cultivation or grazing. Respondents estimated that herbicides were capable of killing 80% of the lucerne, but most regarded this level of control unsatisfactory. Lucerne removal using herbicides is ineffective when lucerne is able to regenerate from buds in the crown that have not received a lethal herbicide dose. Systemic herbicides such as glyphosate and the auxinic herbicides are predominantly translocated to those parts of the plant with a high demand for photosynthate, often the apical meristems. Hence, effective control of lucerne can only be achieved through targeted application of systemic herbicides to lucerne plants that are actively translocating photosynthate to the crown and taproots. Evidence presented in this review suggests that this is most likely to occur when the storage reserves in the crown and taproot are being replenished several weeks after defoliation. The importance of timing of removal and the potential for intercropping are also discussed.

Effect of genotype × environment × management interactions on chickpea phenotypic stability

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kaloki ◽  
Richard Trethowan ◽  
Daniel K. Y. Tan
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Environment Management ◽  
Crop Varieties ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Rainfed Farming ◽  
Main Effects

Crop varieties interact with the environment, which affects their performance. It is imperative to know how the environment affects these crop varieties in order to choose carefully the optimal environment for growth. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is grown in varying environmental conditions including conventional and no-tillage under both irrigated and rainfed farming systems. Hence, genotype × environment × management interactions can affect yield stability. An experiment was conducted in north-western New South Wales, Australia, to investigate these interactions and to determine possible environment types to help focus crop improvement. Eight environments were considered and genotype plus genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplots were generated to assess genotype stability and interactions with environment. Genotype and environment main effects and genotype × environment interactions (GEI) accounted for 12.6%, 66% and 12% of the total variation in yield, respectively. The most productive and stable environments were not tilled, irrespective of moisture status. The most stable and productive genotype was Sonali, closely followed by PBA Slasher and ICCV 96853. The eight test environments grouped into two environment types that differentiated on the basis of tillage regime. Moisture was not a determinant of site grouping.

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