Lotus — Birdsfoot trefoil
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Pasture type and use | A perennial pasture legume with tolerance of moderately acidic soils. Suited to oversowing into native grasses or in a mixture of temperate species. Suitable for general purpose pasture grazed by sheep or cattle. |
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Area of adaptation | Southern, Central and Northern Tablelands, North-West Slopes. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 650 mm (southern NSW) to 750 mm (northern NSW). |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Broad adaptation to diverse soil conditions. Will tolerate soil acidity as low as pH(Ca) 4.7. Avoid significant soil aluminium levels. |
Varieties | Grasslands Goldie
Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Sowing rates: |
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Sowing time | Autumn (March–June) |
Companion species | Vulnerable to grass competition from vigorous grasses like perennial ryegrass, short-term ryegrasses or forage crops etc. It has persisted well with tall fescue and native grasses such as red grass and other summer-growing perennials, and should generally be compatible with other bunch-type grasses. |
Inoculation | Lotus corniculatus inoculant. |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Will persist on soils low in phosphorus; however, application of fertiliser containing phosphorus (e.g. superphosphate) will increase yield. |
Main insect pests | Heliothis caterpillars attack flowers and pods. |
Main diseases | Seed-borne pathogens can potentially cause crown and root rots and limit plant longevity. |
Management | Intermittent grazing is necessary to stimulate tillering, and intermittent spelling is necessary to avoid overgrazing.
Exclusion from grazing during flowering/podding in December/January is useful to maximise flowering, podding and seed-bank development for subsequent seedling recruitment and stand persistence. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Is known to sometimes produce cyanogenic glucosides, but reports of cyanide poisoning associated with it are very rare. Its ingestion can occasionally be associated with cases of photosensitisation. |
Additional tips |
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Further information | Ayres, J, Bluementhal, M & Early, R 2001, ‘Lotus opens new approaches for grazing’, Farming Ahead, vol. 119: 58–9.
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: M. Davies, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.