Lotononis bainesii Baker — a legume for sub-tropical pastures

Abstract

Lotononis bainesii is a prostrate, fine stemmed, small leaved, stoloniferous perennial legume, suitable for pasture mixtures in parts of the sub-tropics and tropics. It prefers moist, friable soils, on which it withstands heavy graying. It is highly palatable and non-toxic to stock and is frost tolerant but virus susceptible. Heavy grazing in late summer reduces virus attack and ensures green growth through the winter. Reproduction is by seed or by vegetative means. The species combines well with a number of pasture grasses. Yields of L. bainesii exceeding one ton of dry matter per acre have been obtained in mid-summer on grazed grass-legume mixtures, and yields of 1/4 ton per acre are common. The mean nitrogen content is approximately 2.9 per cent.