Hybrid disc medic
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Pasture type and use | Early-maturing, annual, temperate legume for dryland grazing and crop rotation. |
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Area of adaptation | South-west NSW |
Min. average annual rainfall | 275 mm |
Advantages |
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Recommended for neutral to alkaline, sandy to loamy soils, especially in mallee dune–swale situations. |
Varieties |
Toreador*
*Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Sowing rates: |
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Sowing time | Autumn |
Companion species | On sandy soils, strand medics (e.g. variety Herald* ). On loams, barrel medics (e.g. variety Caliph * ). In variable paddocks, consider a mixture of all three varieties. |
Inoculation | Inoculation is vital where there is no previous medic history and where pH < 7 in water or calcium chloride. Use group AL. (Note: Do not use group AM.) |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Requires adequate levels of available phosphorus. Sulfur and zinc levels should also be monitored. |
Main insect pests |
Redlegged earth mite (attacks seedlings).
Bluegreen aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid. (Toreador * has resistance to bluegreen aphid, but it is still necessary to monitor for large populations.) Lucerne flea. Occasionally sitona weevil and brown pasture loopers. |
Main diseases | Root fungus, Rhizoctonia spp. Black stem fungus, Phoma spp. Root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus neglectus. |
Management |
Sow in mid-autumn and check seedlings regularly for redlegged earth mite.
Do not graze until well established. For maximum seed yields, restrict grazing during flowering and seed maturation. When grazing sheep over summer, use light stocking rates to avoid too much seed pod being removed. Must manage so that seed reserves are maximised in the first year. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Can cause bloat in cattle. |
Additional tips |
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. Valuable comments on the script were provided by J. Howie, Senior Research Officer, South Australian Research and Development Institute. Their contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Mary-Anne Lattimore, NSW Agriculture, Yanco.