Economic Evaluation of Phase Farming with Lucerne on the Esperance Sandplain

This study examines the profitability of phase farming with lucerne for a farming system on the South Coast of Western Australia. Consistent with previous studies, lucerne appears promising within niches in the farming system. However, further improvements in the production and / or utilisation of lucerne are likely to be required before widespread adoption is financially attractive. Several important conclusions emerge from this study: The profitability of lucerne is primarily due to savings on supplementary feed costs over summer and autumn. While lucerne does provide benefits to following crops, the net impact of lucerne on the profitability of a farmer's cropping programme is likely to be negligible. The profitability and optimal area of lucerne is likely to be significantly higher on farms where prime lamb production occurs. This will especially be the case where lambs are sold as carryover stock in mid-late summer. The economic value of lucerne diminishes as a larger area is established. The implication of this is that just because some lucerne is good, more may not necessarily be better. Lucerne appears able to provide some reduction in recharge without a loss in profit. However, for the farming district examined in this study, the dominance of high recharge soil groups creates particular challenges. Significant improvements in lucerne production and / or utilisation will be required before it will compete with current land uses on some of the major soil groups.Farm Management,

Fatty Acids, α-Tocopherol, β-Carotene and Lutein Contents in Forage Legumes, Forbs, and a Grass-Clover Mixture

Fresh forages are an important natural source of vitamins and fatty acids in ruminant diets, and their concentrations in forage species are important for the quality of animal-derived foods such as dairy and meat products. The aims of this study were to obtain novel information on vitamins and fatty acids (FA) in a variety of forage legumes and non-legume forb species compared to a grass−clover mixture and to explore implications for animal-derived products. Seven dicotyledons [four forbs (salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), caraway (Carum carvi), chicory (Cichorium intybus), and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)) and three legume species (yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), lucerne (Medicago sativa), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus))] and a perennial ryegrass−white clover mixture were investigated in a cutting trial with four harvests (May−October) during 2009 and 2010. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, and analyses of variance were performed. In addition, three other forbs were grown: borage (Borago officinalis), viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare), and chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium). Lucerne and yellow sweet clover had the lowest α-tocopherol concentrations (21−23 mg kg−1 DM) and salad burnet and ribwort plantain the highest (77−85 mg kg−1 DM); β-carotene concentrations were lowest in lucerne, salad burnet, and yellow sweet clover (26−33 mg kg−1 DM) and highest in caraway, birdsfoot trefoil, and ribwort plantain (56−61 mg kg−1 DM). Total FA concentrations were lowest in lucerne, ribwort plantain, chicory, and yellow sweet clover (15.9−19.3 g kg−1 DM) and highest in caraway and birdsfoot trefoil (15.9−19.3 g kg−1 DM). Birdsfoot trefoil had the highest (53.6 g 100 g−1 FA) and caraway and lucerne the lowest (33.7−35.7 g 100 g−1 FA) proportions of n-3 FA. This study demonstrated higher vitamin concentrations in some forbs compared with major forages such as lucerne and grass−clover, more total FA in salad burnet, caraway, and birdsfoot trefoil than in lucerne, and higher n-3 FA concentrations in all forbs than in lucerne. Opportunities are discussed to develop novel biodiverse pastures for particular product quality characteristics

Lucerne (Medicago sativa) or grass-clover as cut-and-carry fertilizers in organic agriculture

On-farm nitrogen fixation is a driving force in organic agriculture. The efficiency with which this nitrogen is used can be increased by using lucerne (Medicago sativa) or grass-clover directly as sources of fertilizer on arable land: cut-and-carry fertilizers. In two arable crops, the use of lucerne and grass-clover as fertilizers was compared with the use of poultry manure and slurry. The nitrogen-use efficiency at crop level was comparable or better for the cut-andcarry fertilizers as compared to the animal manures. The relative P and K content of these fertilizers came closer to the crop demand than that of the poultry manure. Crop yields were comparable or better when using lucerne or grass-clover as fertilizer. It is concluded that cutand-carry fertilizers are a serious alternative for manure as part of an overall farm soil fertility strategy

A study of herbage and seed production of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) under different plant spacing and cutting treatments : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University

The present study on lucerne cv. "Wairau" was carried out in two separate trials, - a herbage and seed production trial and a seed development trial. The purpose of the first part was to investigate the effect of cutting and spacing on herbage production and subsequently on seed yield. In the second part, changes in seed weight, moisture content, and viability during various stages of seed development were studied. Results from the herbage study suggested that fresh and dry herbage yield were both affected more by plant spacing than by the height of cutting and the stage of plant development at the time of cutting. Close plant spacings resulted in higher yields of both dry matter per unit area and dry matter percentage than wide spacings. The study showed that lucerne plants in first year crops should be grown at a plant density higher than 44 plants per sq. metre and up to 100 plants per sq. metre to reach maximal herbage yield per unit area. Early cutting and high cutting gave a significantly lower herbage yield than when plants were cut late and cut at a low stubble height. Cutting and spacing treatments had a profound influence on seed yield per unit area. Seed production in lucerne, unlike herbage production, depended mainly on seed yield per plant rather than on the number of plants per unit area. Both cutting and spacing treatments affected seed yield per plant by altering the number of reproductive shoots, number of flowers per plant and the percentage of seed set. Plants grown at wide spacings produced more branches and flowers per plant and also exhibited a higher percentage seed set, thereby producing high numbers of seeds per plant. To obtain high seed yield in this variety of lucerne, plants should be grown at a plant density of approximately 11-25 plants per sq. metre. Cutting lucerne plants prior to allowing them to seed resulted in a weakening of the plants, severely depressed reproductive potential, delayed flowering time and subsequently affected flower production and percentage seed set. Lucerne plants should therefore not be cut at all in the year of plant establishment if high seed yields are expected. Seed development followed three distinct phases. The growth stage involved the period up to 22 days after pollination. At the end of the stage, 3% of seeds were germinable. The food reserve accumulation stage occupied the period from 23-40 days after pollination. Maximum seed dry weight was attained after 40 days at a seed moisture content of 58%. The ripening stage occupied the period from 41-75 days after pollination. At the end of this stage seed moisture content was approximately 14% and subsequently 6% of hard seed were found when seeds were tested immediately after harvest. Storage results in this trial indicated that immature seed tended to lose germination capacity more rapidly than mature seed. To ensure high seed quality in lucerne it was essential that seed be harvested after maturity

Nitrogen transfer from forage legumes to nine neighbouring plants in a multi-species grassland

Legumes play a crucial role in nitrogen supply to grass-legume mixtures for ruminant fodder. To quantify N transfer from legumes to neighbouring plants in multi-species grasslands we established a grass-legume-herb mixture on a loamy-sandy site in Denmark. White clover (Trifolium repens L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were leaf-labelled with 15N enriched urea during one growing season. N transfer to grasses (Lolium perenne L. and xfestulolium), white clover, red clover, lucerne, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor L.)and caraway (Carum carvi L.) was assessed. Neighbouring plants contained greater amounts of N derived from white clover (4.8 gm-2) compared with red clover (2.2 gm-2) and lucerne (1.1 gm-2). Grasses having fibrous roots received greater amounts of N from legumes than dicotyledonous plants which generally have taproots. Slurry application mainly increased N transfer from legumes to grasses. During the growing season the three legumes transferred approximately 40 kg N ha-1 to neighbouring plants. Below-ground N transfer from legumes to neighbouring plants differed among nitrogen donors and nitrogen receivers and may depend on root characteristics and regrowth strategies of plant species in the multi-species grassland

Aspects of the biology and ecology of Acyrthosiphon kondoi shinji (Homoptera: Aphididae): a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology at Massey University

The biology and ecology of the blue-green lucerne aphid, Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji, was studied in the Palmerston North area for one year. Observations on the morphology of the developmental stages and morphs of A. kondoi are presented. Winter and spring peaks in the A. kondoi numbers occurred and the aphid can survive on lucerne all year round. The aphid colonies undergo a population cycle involving a population build up, high numbers, a decline in numbers, and a period of low numbers which persists until the next population build up. The stage of the cycle is apparent from the pattern of dispersion of the aphids on the plant and the number of alates present. A. kondoi appears to be continuously viviparous and parthenogenetic. throughout the year, as no sexual forms were found. High numbers of A. kondoi migrate by flying. A distinct spring peak in flight was observed with periods of lesser flight at other times. Some synchrony between the periods of flight and the number of aphids and alates on the plants was observed. Factors controlling the A. kondoi population were studied. The predators, and an entomophthorous fungi which attacked A. kondoi were identified, but no evidence of parasitism of A. kondoi in the field was observed. The predators did not prevent the spring population peak of A. kondoi, because of the low predator numbers and their poor synchronisation with the aphid population. Predator exclusion cage studies indicated that predators, especially Nab is maoricus. prevented a summer-autumn A. kondoi population peak. N. maoricus consumed on average 11.25 A. kondoi per day in the laboratory. The state of host plant growth is important in the occurrence of population cycles, and lucerne management practices can affect this considerably. Growing lucerne appears most suitable. Flowering of lucerne is not unfavourable to A. kondoi. A decline in the plant condition is partially involved in the population decline. Cycles of the A. kondoi population occur independently of climate, though the maximum number of aphids reached in each cycle is probably dependent on climatic factors. Local, extreme weather conditions nay temporarily affect A. kondoi numbers. The population cycle involves self-regulation and can probably occur independently of extrinsic factors. It involves a rise and fall in the fecundity and reproductive rate,and the production of increasing numbers of alates as the cycle progresses. These changes could account for a considerable part of the population decline observed in a population cycle

A study of the effect of the frequency of spring cutting on the regrowth and resulting yield of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University

There is abundant evidence to show that the yield, stand, chemical composition and the feeding value of lucerne may be materially affected by varying the cutting interval. Therefore, the purpose of the field experiment reported here was to determine the effect of the frequency of spring cutting on the regrowth and resulting yied of a pure stand of New Zealand certified lucerne (Chanticleer) and on weed invasion of the stand and, if possible, the reasons for this effect. It is hoped that this information will add to the existing evidence. Lucerne is cultivated for stock feed in many parts of the world, including New Zealand. In recent years, it has become increasingly important as a forage crop because of its potential for high yields of good quality feed under a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. The long tap root of the plant affords it considerable resistance to drought. Moreover, the plant is rich in phosphates, lime and protein, all of which are essential in animal production. In common with other legumes, it possesses the power to increase the nitrogen content of the soil. [FROM INTRODUCTION

Native budworm

The native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera or, as it was known, Heliothis punctigera) is native to Australia and is distributed, particularly during spring, throughout much of the central and southern regions of the country. It is the major pest of all grain legumes, although pea weevil is equally important in field peas. It also attacks most oilseed crops, some vegetables, particularly tomato and sweet corn, and various pasture species such as clover and lucerne. In terms of production losses, field peas, chick peas, faba beans, tomatoes and lucerne are probably the most important hosts

Cutting improves the productivity of lucerne-rich stands used in the revegetation of degraded arable land in a semi-arid environment

Understanding the relationships between vegetative and environmental variables is important for revegetation and ecosystem management on the Loess Plateau, China. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) has been widely used in the region to improve revegetation, soil and water conservation, and to enhance livestock production. However, there is little information on how environmental factors influence long-term succession in lucerne-rich vegetation. Our objective was to identify the main environmental variables controlling the succession process in lucerne-rich vegetation such that native species are not suppressed after sowing on the Loess Plateau. Vegetation and soil surveys were performed in 31 lucerne fields (three lucerne fields without any management from 2003-2013 and 28 fields containing 11-year-old lucerne with one cutting each year). Time after planting was the most important factor affecting plant species succession. Cutting significantly affected revegetation characteristics, such as aboveground biomass, plant density and diversity. Soil moisture content, soil organic carbon, soil available phosphorus and slope aspect were key environmental factors affecting plant species composition and aboveground biomass, density and diversity. Long-term cutting can cause self-thinning in lucerne, maintain the stability of lucerne production and slow its degradation. For effective management of lucerne fields, phosphate fertilizer should be applied and cutting performed