A broad range of new legume and pasture cultivars were on show recently at the Medina Research Station of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

The GRDC-supported pasture field day showcased new pastures and legumes suited to livestock feeding and combating salinity, plus a new legume with potential pharmaceutical application.

Research is being conducted into an early season biserrula variety.

Department of Agriculture researcher, Dr Angelo Loi said that of the legumes, biserrula, has the most potential for our farming systems.

"The discovery of an early season variety will be very significant for low rainfall areas."

Dr Loi said that in areas with rainfall as low as 300 millimetres, the new variety would persist and perform better than current options.