Performance of North American and Australian lucernes in the Queensland subtropics 2. Yield and plant survival in irrigated stands

Lowe, KF; Gramshaw, D; Bowdler, TM; Ludke, DH

doi:10.1071/ea9850082

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…These yields are consistent with those from other temperate and subtropical areas of the world. In Australia, for example, annual yields obtained under cutting experiments ranged from 14.7 to 21.6 t DM ha À1 yr À1 in subtropical Queensland environments (Lowe, Gramshaw, Bowdler, & Ludke, 1985) and between 5.2 and 19.9 t DM ha À1 yr À1 under temperate Tasmanian environments (Pembleton, Donaghy, Volenec, Smith, & Rawnsley, 2010). In Lincoln, New Zealand, data from grazing trials indicated annual yields from 10 t DM ha À1 to 21 t DM ha À1 yr À1 under rainfed (Mills et al, 2015) and irrigated (Brown & Moot, 2004) conditions, respectively.…”

Section: Yield Gap Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield gaps of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in livestock systems of Argentina

Jáuregui

Ojeda²,

Berone

et al. 2022

Annals of Applied Biology

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Argentina grows the second-largest area of lucerne in the world. Despite its importance, a yield gap exists between potential and measured yields, but factors contributing to it are still unclear. This study aimed to identify management factors and research needs to reduce the lucerne yield gap to improve the livestock systems in this region. We used meteorological data coupled with lucerne crop modelling and measured yields from the National Lucerne Cultivar Evaluation Network (NLCEN) to quantify the lucerne yield gap in nine sites located within the Argentinian Pampas (between parallels 30-45 S and meridians 58-65 W) and three sites outside the Pampas. Specifically, we used the model developed by McCall & Bishop-Hurley (2003), adapted and calibrated for lucerne in Argentina by Berone et al. (2017) to estimate the potential yield (PY) for 12 locations (three irrigated and nine rainfed), and compared those results with measured yields from the NLCEN to calculate yield gaps. We found the average available photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and temperatures were sufficient to achieve 21.5 ± 3.7 t dry matter (DM) ha À1 yr À1 under rainfed conditions (environments with mean annual rainfall from 400 to 1,200 mm). However, the average measured yield from the NLCEN was 16.8 ± 2.4 t DM ha À1 yr À1 (a 22% gap). Potential yields ranged between 10 and 25 t DM ha À1 yr À1 under rainfed conditions and between 25 and 39 t DM ha À1 yr À1 for irrigated crops. As latitude increased rainfed locations had lower yields, while irrigated locations had higher yields. Adding irrigation was predicted to increase yields to 35.4 ± 2.0 t DM ha À1 yr À1 (a 53% gap) in rainfed sites. For irrigated locations, the gap was smaller (27.3 ± 3.5 vs 32.4 ± 2.2 t DM ha À1 yr À1 for measured vs potential yield, respectively), and most likely linked to nutrient deficits. Also, current grazing management was estimated to achieve approximately 50% less grazing efficiency than optimal grazing management. Our results demonstrated that the livestock industry can potentially increase animal production under current environmental conditions. The four main adjustments to achieve this are increased use of irrigation, increased use of fertilisers, earlier commencement of grazing in spring and increased stocking rates.

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Section: Yield Gap Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield gaps of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in livestock systems of Argentina

Jáuregui

Ojeda²,

Berone

et al. 2022

Annals of Applied Biology

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“…Generally, it was shown that there was a wide range in the dry matter production of these imported cultivars under Australian conditions. Winter-active cultivars produced higher yields than semi-dormant and dormant cultivars but were less persistent (in NSW, Rogers 1981;Lodge 1985Lodge , 1986in Queensland, Gramshaw et al 1985;Lloyd et al 1985;Lowe et al 1985a). The superior imported cultivars became significant in commercial sowings before the release of elite Australian-bred cultivars.…”

Section: Breeding Objectives Post 1972mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In understanding the hitherto unknown basis for the performance of these new lines in Queensland and NSW, it was found that lucerne yield was correlated with winter activity level and persistence. Persistence was directly related to disease resistance and initial stand density (Lowe et al 1985a(Lowe et al , 1987. It was established that different defoliation systems were needed to manage cultivars from different dormancy classes and these differed from those previously utilised for Hunter River (Lowe et al 1985b;Lodge 1986;Gramshaw et al 1993).…”

Section: Breeding Objectives Post 1972mentioning

confidence: 99%

Lucerne biology and genetic improvement - an analysis of past activities and future goals in Australia

Irwin¹,

Lloyd²,

Lowe³

2001

Aust. J. Agric. Res.

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Breeding methodologies for cultivated lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), an autotetraploid, have changed little over the last 50 years, with reliance on polycross methods and recurrent phenotypic selection. There has been, however, an increase in our understanding of lucerne biology, in particular the genetic relationships between members of the M. sativa complex, as deduced by DNA analysis. Also, the differences in breeding behaviour and vigour of diploids versus autotetraploids, and the underlying genetic causes, are discussed in relation to lucerne improvement.Medicago falcata, a member of the M. sativa complex, has contributed substantially to lucerne improvement in North America, and its diverse genetics would appear to have been under-utilised in Australian programs over the last two decades, despite the reduced need for tolerance to freezing injury in Australian environments. Breeding of lucerne in Australia only commenced on a large scale in 1977, driven by an urgent need to introgress aphid resistance into adapted backgrounds. The release in the early 1980s of lucernes with multiple pest and disease resistance (aphids, Phytophthora, Colletotrichum) had a significant effect on increasing lucerne productivity and persistence in eastern Australia, with yield increases under high disease pressure of up to 300% being recorded over the predominant Australian cultivar, up to 1977, Hunter River. Since that period, irrigated lucerne yields have plateaued, highlighting the need to identify breeding objectives, technologies, and the germplasm that will create new opportunities for increasing performance. This review discusses major goals for lucerne improvement programs in Australia, and provides indications of the germplasm sources and technologies that are likely to deliver the desired outcomes.

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“…Differences in productivity among varieties may be observed under summer and winter conditions, particularly during the earlier stages of regrowth after cutting. High yields of alfalfa have been found to be associated with reduced winter dormancy (SARRAJ 1985) and improved resistance to root rot and anthracnose (LOWE et al 1985) and other pests (MARBLE 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Variety and Seeding Rate on Establishment and Productivity of Alfalfa Sown in Autumn

Sarraj

1987

J Agronomy Crop Science

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Five alfalfa varieties (var.) were sown on 26 September, 1983 near Aleppo on clay or heavy clay soils, classified as Vertisols (FAO‐system) or Chromoxerertic (Calcic) Rhodoxeralf (USDA‐system). Irrigation was applied after planting to ensure uniform germination. Thereafter the study was conducted under supplementary irrigation. The parameters measured to estimate fresh weight (FW) and dry matter (DM) yields; plant height, ground cover and regrowth after cutting, indicated that winter‐active var. (Moapa 69, CUF 101 and Aleppo local) resulted in better productivity than semi‐dormant (Paravivo) and dormant (Lebanon local) varieties. The 2‐years mean average FW yields were 70.2, 68.2, 65.2, 57.1 and 36.9 t/ha, or 16.2, 16.0, 15.5, 13.1 and 8.9 t/ha DM respectively. Forage yields were similar among the 12, 16 and 20 kg/ha seeding rates, indicating little justification for high seeding rates under good establishment conditions, even if a seeding‐year yield is desired. In general, seeding rate had also no effect on plant population, which was reduced with time and towards the end of the tested period it became nearly similar and counted 137, 132 and 134 plants/m2 according to the seeding rates respectively. Alfalfa yields were positively correlated with plant height, ground cover and regrowth after cutting. The highest yielding combination for FW and DM yields in Moapa 69 with 12 kg/ha seeding rate.

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Performance of North American and Australian lucernes in the Queensland subtropics 2. Yield and plant survival in irrigated stands

Cited by 11 publications

References 6 publications

Yield gaps of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in livestock systems of Argentina

Yield gaps of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in livestock systems of Argentina

Lucerne biology and genetic improvement - an analysis of past activities and future goals in Australia

Effect of Variety and Seeding Rate on Establishment and Productivity of Alfalfa Sown in Autumn

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