Consider these helpful suggestions from DLF Seeds before planting your lucerne.
1. Soil testing
A soil test is recommended before sowing lucerne as it will not tolerate acid soils with high aluminium. Soil pH (CaCl2) should be above 5.5. If the soil is acidic (less than 5.5), then lime is recommended to raise the pH level. Also remember to choose the right paddock; lucerne requires free draining soil types and does not like waterlogged conditions.
2. Time of sowing
Temperate: For higher rainfall southern regions, successful spring sowing of lucerne is achievable. This is due to control of winter weeds and rising soil and air temperature aiding establishment.
Dryland: Autumn sowing is recommended in low to medium rainfall regions where the majority of annual rainfall occurs in winter.
3. Seed bed preparation and sowing
Weed control through spraying of glyphosate is recommended to achieve a knockdown. For autumn sowing lucerne, spray topping in the previous spring to reduce seed set of annual weeds before the autumn is another option.
If the soil test suggests the pH needs to be raised, incorporation of lime can occur; this starts the process to turn the paddock into a fine, firm, weed free seed bed. Pre-emergent herbicide such as Trifluralin can be used at sowing to control weeds to give the lucerne the best chance to establish.
4. Sowing depth
Lucerne does not establish well from being sown too deep. The seed should be covered by 1 to 2 cm of soil. Using a roller after sowing is important to get good seed soil contact on lighter soils.
5. Seed treatments
Treating lucerne seed is recommended in any situation for successful establishment. Seed treatments for lucerne include applying Rhizobia to the seed to aid nodulation of lucerne roots. Apron® XL fungicide and Poncho® Plus insecticide are also applied to provide each plant the best possible start to establish. This treatment is known as Superstrike® seed treatment.
6. Fertiliser requirements at sowing
Lucerne requires phosphorus and nitrogen at sowing to aid strong establishment. Single super phosphate at 250 to 300 kg/ha or M.A.P or D.A.P fertiliser at 80 to 100 kg/ha is recommended to be drilled with the seed.
7. Select the variety that best suits your needs
Consider the following three questions when deciding which variety to sow:
- What will be its main use (grazing, hay production or both)?
- How long do you want the lucerne stand to persist?
- When do you need the feed most?
Semi winter dormant (DLF Seeds Stamina® GT5 hay & grazing lucerne): Persistent stands with slow winter growth. In comparison to winter active types (6-7), semi winter dormant (5) varieties are well suited to grazing and quality hay production due to a lower crown and a semi-prostrate but denser growth than winter active types (6-7). Suitable for hay & grazing.
Winter active (DLF Seeds Warrego GT6 & Titan 7 hay & grazing lucernes): Tend to have smaller crowns with an erect growth that provides some winter growth (providing suitable temperatures). Strict rotational grazing management is required as winter active (6-7) lucerne varieties are comparatively less tolerant to grazing than semi winter dormant (5) varieties.
Highly winter active (DL Seeds Torrens GT8 & Titan 9 hay & grazing lucernes): Good winter growth with an upright growth habit. Vigorous at establishment and fast recovery from cutting or grazing. High production for at least three years, making them a great option in cropping rotations. Strict rotational grazing management is required as highly winter active (8-10) lucerne varieties are comparatively less tolerant to grazing than semi winter dormant (5) and winter active (6-7) lucerne.
Torrens GT8 however provides growers with increased persistence compared to traditional highly winter active varieties due to its grazing tolerance and below ground budding trait.
Torrens GT8 below ground budding
8. Top dressing of fertiliser
A soil test will assist in making fertiliser decisions for your lucerne stand. Annual applications of phosphorus, potassium and lime (Ca) are commonly applied to lucerne stands as these are the major nutrients removed in grazing and hay lucerne stands.
9. Choose a new variety to reduce disease
Choosing a variety with newer genetics that offer better disease resistance will help in prevention of diseases occurring and therefore increases overall yields and persistence of your lucerne stand.
10. Treat for pests as soon as they appear
Lucerne pests include red legged earthmite (RLEM), lucerne flea and aphids which can quickly kill seedlings. Spray with registered insecticides as soon as they appear.
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.
11. Manage for persistence
The persistence of a stand of lucerne will depend largely on the way it is managed. Winter dormant varieties (because of their lower crown) are generally more suited to grazing than winter active types. When grazing winter active varieties, care must be taken not to eat out the crown. Strict rotational grazing must be employed and a recovery period must be allowed for the lucerne to regrow prior to future grazing.
This article was written by DLF Seeds for Seasons magazine.
Please note: this article contains information of a general nature, and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided, and seek advice on whether it is fit for your circumstances.