South Perth, Western
Australia
September 15, 2004
A new
generation of pasture legume species developed in Western
Australia over the past 10 years, will be in the international
spotlight at a conference in Sweden next week.
Department of Agriculture research officer Angelo Loi said
the European Union was increasing funding for research into new
pasture legumes as an organic alternative to the use of
nitrogen-based fertilisers.
Western Australia is at the forefront of pasture
legume development and Dr Loi has been asked to speak to more
than 100 key researchers from around the world at the
Workshop on Adaptation
and Management of Forage Legumes – Strategies for Improved Reliability
in Mixed Swards.
“The State’s Wheatbelt region is considered to be
the most infertile farming area in the world, with limited
rainfall, salinity, increasing resistance to herbicides among
the challenges we face,” Dr Loi said.
“We have been developing a new generation of
pasture legumes that can be adapted to our future farming
systems as well as similar areas around the world, such as
Mediterranean environments.”
“Traditionally, because our soils are too acidic,
or sandy and infertile, we have lacked well adapted pasture
legumes, and seed production of the traditional pasture legumes
such as subterranean clover and medics is too expensive.
“While these species are widely established, they
have failed in many situations due to limitations of soil type
adaptation, climate, pests and disease or inappropriate farming
systems.
A series of
difficult years for pasture production has resulted in the run
down of pasture legume seed banks and pastures with very low
legume content.
The new
generation of pasture legumes will provide better pastures for
livestock grazing and grain production, and are designed to be
easy to harvest and process. They are also prolific seed
producers (small seed size), acid tolerant, deep rooted,
tolerant to pests and diseases and to winter and summer grazing.
“By collaborating with overseas researchers, we
can share ideas and information that will benefit many
countries,” Dr Loi said.
“Most pasture legumes being used in Europe are
from Australia, but all the new species are mainly coming from
Western Australia.” |