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Forage legumes under evaluation in 2016 Common name Species Variety Seeding Characteristics* Uses rate kg/ha Subterranean clover Trifolium subterranean Trikkala 10 Shallow rooted annual clover Grazing Winter dominant growth Balansa clover Trifolium michelianum Viper 5 Semi erect annual clover Grazing, hay High tolerance to waterlogging Rapid growth in warm moist conditions Persian clover Trifolium resupinatum Shaftal 5 Semi erect annual clover Grazing, hay, silage Waterlogging tolerance High palatability Spring recovery from cutting Arrowleaf clover Trifolium vesiculosum Zulu II 5 Semi erect annual clover Hay, silage, grazing Tolerant of waterlogging Spring growth late maturity Bladder clover Trifolium spumosum Bartolo 5 Semi erect annual clover Grazing Intolerant of waterlogging Common vetch Vicia sativa Rasina 30 Semi-erect climbing/decumbent annual Grazing, hay, silage Intolerant of prolonged waterlogging Lucerne Medicago Aurora 5 Deep rooted perennial Hay, grazing Intolerant of waterlogging Field peas Pisum sativa Morgan 30 Semi-leafless annual pea Grazing, hay, silage Excellent early vigour *Descriptions from Pasture Legumes for Temperate Farming Systems The Ute Guide, PIRSA, 2004 nitrogen from forage legumes are 20–25 kg N/tonne of dry matter produced. Will forage legumes assist to sustain the yields of the rice farming system through better conservation of soil nutrients? Burning a 12 tonne rice stubble can result in losses of approximately 80 kg of nitrogen, 7 kg of phosphorous, 4 kg of potassium and 3 kg of sulphur in addition to large quantities of organic carbon. Growing a forage legume after rice may enable these nutrients to be conserved and enhanced with additional nitrogen fixation. What is the opportunity cost of using a full profile of soil moisture for forage legumes versus a cereal crop? All the factors described need to be considered when deciding whether to seed forage legumes into rice stubbles. Species selection and fertilisation requirements for forage legumes sown after rice are not well understood, however the technique holds promise for contributing to the profitability and sustainability of the rice-farming system. 2016 season Rice growers are skilled at discerning results relevant to their enterprises and replicated research trials are costly to conduct, especially when located far from base. In the 2016 autumn–winter three replicated studies were established to compare the production of eight forage legumes when sown into rice stubbles. To supplement these results and to obtain broad feedback on the potential for forage legumes after rice, 36 kits of pre-weighed and inoculated seed were distributed amongst agronomists and growers for the establishment of demonstration sites. Opportunities should arise in all districts to inspect these sites. Contact your local rice extension officer for further information. Useful publications Irrigated Winter Forages in Northern Victoria: Choosing an option, Anon., Victorian Department of Primary Industries (2004) Pulses putting life into the farming system, Armstrong, E. and Holding, D. NSW Department of Primary Industries (2015) Rice straw management in California, Bird, J.A et al, California Agriculture, March–April (2002) Inoculating legumes, a practical guide, Drew, E. et al, Grains Research and Development Corporation (2012) Irrigated forage legumes, Damian Jones, IREC Farmers’ Newsletter 182, Autumn 2010, pp 30–31 (2010) Effects of irrigation timing on seedling establishment and productivity of subterranean clover pastures, Kelly, K.B. and Mason, W.K, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 27(4), 545-549 (1987) Effect of rice stubble management on soil health, Kirkby, Clive, IREC Newsletter No 162, Summer 2003 52-54 (2003) Establishment and early growth after rice of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), Persian clover (T.resupinatum), balansa clover (T.michelianum), and white clover (T.repens), Lattimore, M.E, Beecher, H.G., and O’Callaghan, K.L., Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 34, 459–467 (1994) Design and development of a powered vertical disc plough, Singh, T.P. and Singh, B., Indian Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 38 (1), pp 41–52, (2001) Pasture Legumes for Temperate Farming Systems The Ute Guide, Wurst, Michael, PIRSA (2004), RIRDC Project PRJ-009224 Improving rotational crop establishment options following rice This project was supported by the Rice Research and Development Committee of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. More information Malcolm Taylor T: 03 5872 2892 M: 0427 722 892 E: [email protected]