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Lucerne
Understanding the limitations of lucerne is essential, and factors such as low pH, Aluminum, and where it is located within the soil profile will determine if the paddock is suitable for sowing lucerne. Soil test at least 12 months in advance to allow enough time for deficiencies to be identified and fixed.
Correct paddock selection is a key driver for long term lucerne stand persistence. When sowing, identify an area to plant lucerne (minimum of 12 months prior to sowing).
When selecting a paddock, consider that lucerne will grow on a variety of soils with a preference to:
Note: Established lucerne moderately tolerates saline soils, but seedlings are less tolerant.
Poor weed control is one of the most common issues that lead to poor lucerne establishment. Soil type will determine the cultivation practice during seedbed preparation, to ensure soil is suitable for planting, cultivate to form a fine but firm seedbed. This will aid the soil to seed contact at the time of sowing and provide good supporting moisture infiltration around the seed either after a rainfall event or irrigation. Weed control must start the year before sowing the lucerne to ensure adequate time and opportunity to control/remove any weeds present in the paddock. This should also reduce the need to use post emergent herbicides in the young lucerne crop as this can retard lucerne growth.
Correct paddock selection is a key driver for long term persistence of lucerne stands. The sowing depth needs to be managed as lucerne is a small seed and therefore only needs to be sown at no more than 15mm deep. This will enable the lucerne to germinate and the seedling to rise above the soil to begin photosynthesis.
In recent years, slugs have been a real problem in decimating newly sown pastures, crops and lucerne. Heavy soil types, summer rains and reduced tillage are all factors which promote the build up of slug populations. Inspect potential paddocks prior to sowing and if found contact your local agronomist for control of this devastating pest.
If you have never grown lucerne before, it is recommended you plant a pure stand of lucerne and learn how to manage it.
After the ideal areas of your farm for lucerne monocultures are established, there may be an option to look at lucerne/grass mixes on more difficult soils or topography. These range from lucerne with some grass to minimise soil erosion on wind prone sites, through to a grass pasture where lucerne is providing the legume component where other legumes (e.g. white clover) have failed. The management of lucerne/grass mixes is more complex and extra caution should be taken.
Research has shown that increasing distribution of feed over longer periods can be achieved by using companion species with different seasonal growth patterns.
Examples of companion species with lucerne include:
There are many positives and negatives associated with sowing a companion species such as, mitigating the potential animal health issues, but conversely reducing quality hay and herbicide control options.
Consult your local DLF Seeds Sales Agronomist on the best species or sowing practices suited to your farming systems.
It is well known that lucerne plants can produce chemical(s) which suppress the germination and growth of lucerne seedlings. This phenomenon is called autotoxicity.
Autotoxicity is difficult to detect and predict, as soil type, rainfall, management, age of the previous stand etc, all play different roles. Older lucerne stands are more prone to it than young stands because of the accumulation of the chemicals - in evolutionary terms the plant is trying to stop its seedlings growing where it already is.
For a thinning older stands, over sow Italian ryegrass (or similar) in autumn to get use out of the accumulated Nitrogen and prolong the stand life. Alternatively, drill in a perennial grass for a pasture that may last another 3-4 years as your transition paddock.
