Glycine
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Pasture type and use | Creeping, twining, climbing and viny tropical perennial legume for grazing. |
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Area of adaptation | Moist subtropical North Coast on fertile, deeper, well-drained soils out of reach of heavy frost. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 800 mm |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Does best on fertile well-drained soils with adequate depth and moisture-holding capacity. A pH(Ca) > 5.4 is ideal, but cultivar Malawi is tolerant of more acid soils. |
Varieties |
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Sowing rates: | |
- as only species | Rarely sown alone. |
- in mixtures | 2–4 kg/ha with other tropical legumes and grasses. |
Sowing time | October to January is best, but try to avoid hot, dry summer spells. |
Companion species | Usually sown on warm hill sites with other twining tropical legumes (greenleaf desmodium, atro and axillaris), and with grasses such as setaria, green panic and Rhodes grass. |
Inoculation | Group H |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Varies with soil type, but phosphorus, sulfur and molybdenum are the most likely nutrients to be required. |
Main insect pests | Amnemus weevil larvae can damage roots. |
Main diseases | Fungal infections of rhizoctonia, cercospora and sclerotinia can attack top growth. |
Management | Glycine and most viny tropical legumes are susceptible to overgrazing, and need sufficient spelling from heavy grazing. They should not be grazed too severely, so that there is plenty of vine and some leaf remaining to allow good regrowth. The more leaf left on the plant, the faster the regrowth. Aim to retain at least 15 cm height of material to achieve maximum production and persistence. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | No problems reported. |
Additional tips |
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Further information | ‘Glycine’, Queensland Agricultural Journal, Nov.–Dec. 1984, Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DG Cameron).
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth