Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and greater lotus (Lotus uliginosus) in perennial pastures in eastern Australia 1. Effects of grazing management on persistence
J. F. Ayres A E , M. J. Blumenthal B , J. W. O’Connor C , L. A. Lane A and H. I. Nicol DA NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Perennial Grazing Systems, Glen Innes, NSW 2370, Australia.
B Grains Research and Development Corporation, Barton, ACT 2600, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Pasture Research Unit, Berry, NSW 2535, Australia.
D NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: john.ayres@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(4) 503-519 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04241
Submitted: 15 November 2004 Accepted: 9 September 2005 Published: 20 April 2006
Abstract
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.
Additional keywords: adaptation, establishment, nodulation, perennation, recruitment, rhizomes, seedbanks.
Acknowledgments
Professors Ray Ison and Craig Pearson (The University of Sydney) contributed the original idea for the project. The project was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries provided the staff, field and laboratory support for conduct of the project. The project was a major research study involving collaboration between a large team from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries; the project team included researchers (Drs Martin Blumenthal, John Ayres, Zvi Hochman), technical officers (Leah Lane, Emma Wilson, John O’Connor, Jim Hindmarsh), biometrician (Helen Nicol), consultant researchers (Terry Launders, Dr Gordon Stovold), technical assistants (Phillip Borchard, Neville Burke) and district agronomists (Linda Ayres, Neil Griffith, Gerry Hennessy, Jeff Lowien, Lester McCormick, Bob McGufficke, Peter Simpson, Harry Kemp). The farmer cooperators who provided facilities and support for the 4 experiments made a major contribution to the success of the experimental work. Appreciation is extended to Brian Kay and Dr Walter Kelman, CSIRO Division of Plant Industry (Canberra site); Phil Dawes, Manager, Agricultural Research and Advisory Station, Glen Innes (Glen Innes site); Lewis Lynch, Bruxner Highway, McKees Hill (Casino site); and Warwick Mottram, Numbaa (Nowra site). The project received helpful guidance and direction from the Meat and Livestock Australia Technology Transfer Advisory Committee: Graham Clarke, ‘Glengare’, Glencoe; Colin Ferguson, ‘Kimo’, Junee Rd, Gundagai; Don Lean, ‘Inglebar’, Jackadgery; Charles Litchfield, ‘Coroo’, Cooma; Dr Mike Stephens and Gabrielle Kay (Meat and Livestock Australia). The authors thank Christine Dempsey and Philip Manieri for financial management and Carmen Elvins for assisting with preparation of the manuscript.
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