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.”