Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page

Survey of use and management of lotus pedunculatus cv `grasslands maku' in eastern Australia

C.A. Harris, M.J. Blumenthal and J.M. Scott'

NSW Agriculture, Pasture Research Unit, Berry NSW 2535 Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351

Interest in Lotus pedunculatus as a pasture legume for acid, infertile coastal regions increased with the release in 1974 of 'Grasslands Maku', a tetraploid lotus bred in New Zealand (1). However, little quantitative data exists about how well Maku lotus might fill such a role in eastern Australia. In 1990 a survey of agronomists and farmers known to be dealing with Maku lotus in Australia was conducted. The objective of the survey was to determine current use and management of Maku lotus and to identify limitations to its wider adoption and use.

Methods

The survey was conducted in two parts i) telephone interviews with agronomists known to be involved in extension work in areas suited to Maku lotus, and ii) a mail questionnaire of 100 farmers known to be growing Maku lotus on the coast of eastern Australia between Bairnsdale (37°51'S) and Gympie (26°10'S). Questions dealt with soil fertility, establishment method, sowing time, pest and weed control, grazing management and performance.

Results and discussion

It is only in recent years that large areas of Maku lotus have been sown. By 1990 approximately 30,000 ha of pasture in eastern Australia had been sown to this legume. In 1989 6,000 ha of Maku lotus were sown, whilst in the period between 1978 and 1983 less than 100 ha a year were sown. The majority of total area sown to Maku lotus has been over beef properties on the north coast of NSW; there is a smaller but still substantial use in the dairy sector in the same area.

Three main areas were identified as barriers to Maku lotus adoption. These were slow establishment due to small seed size, high cost of seed imported from New Zealand ($23-S27) and a lack of quantitative data on dry matter production and persistence. Also some farmers (particularly dairy farmers) feared that Maku lotus would not be able to tolerate intensive grazing.

It is expected that the already large areas of Maku lotus pastures will increase further as all beef and 80% of dairy farmers surveyed intended to establish larger areas of Maku lotus on their properties. However, to efficiently utilise these Maku lotus pastures research is needed in such areas as establishment practices, dry matter production, digestibility, method of persistence and spread and grazing management.

References

Armstrong, C.S. 1974. NZ J. Exp. Agric. 2, 333-336.

Previous PageTop Of PageNext Page

...

Search Site