Axillaris
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Pasture type and use | Creeping, twining, climbing, viny perennial tropical legume for grazing and agroforestry. |
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Area of adaptation | Moist subtropical North Coast, out of reach of heavy frost. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 1000 mm |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Does best on well-drained soils and does not like very acid low-fertility soils. It has performed well on low-fertility soils where adequate phosphorus, sulfur and molybdenum were applied. |
Varieties | Archer |
Sowing rates— in mixtures | Usually only sown in mixtures: 0.5–2 kg/ha |
Sowing time | October to January is best, but try to avoid hot dry conditions. |
Companion species | Usually sown on warm hill sites with viny tropical legumes, such as greenleaf desmodium, atro and glycine, and with the tall tropical grasses such as setaria, green panic and Rhodes grass. |
Inoculation | Group J, but is known to nodulate readily with naturally occurring root nodule bacteria. |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Varies with soil type, but phosphorus, sulfur and molybdenum are the most likely nutrients to be required. |
Main insect pests | Relatively free of insect pests. Bean fly can attack young seedlings, but this species is less vulnerable than atro. Good resistance to amnemus weevil. |
Main diseases | Relatively free of disease problems. |
Management | As with most viny tropical legumes, it does not stand continuous heavy grazing without sufficient spelling. Maintain sward height above 15 cm to maximise productivity and persistence. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | No problems reported. |
Additional tips | Although seedling vigour is good, and it will establish reasonably well on rough seedbeds, establishment will be greatly enhanced by sowing on a well-prepared seedbed. |
Further information | ‘Axillaris’, Queensland Agricultural Journal, Mar./Apr. 1986, Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DG Cameron). |
Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Bede Clarke, NSW Agriculture, Casino