The performance of lucerne (Medicago sativa) lines in pure stands under irrigated and raingrown conditions in sub-coastal central Queensland

Abstract

Seventeen lucerne lines were grown in two irrigated and two raingrown trials at Biloela, central Queensland. CV. Siro Peruvian outyielded all the other cultivars during the first two years. Seedling vigour, winter growth, and regrowth after cutting were better in Siro Peruvian than in cv. Hunter River, but it had shorter stand life and lower nitrogen content. CV. African gave similar annuai yields to Hunter River even though in seedling vigour, winter growth and rate of regrowth after cutting it was similar to Siro Peruvian. The other lucerne lines were not adapted to the hot subtropical environment, and especially in the irrigated trials their yields or survival or both were much poorer than those of Hunter River.