Round-leafed cassia
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Pasture type and use | Short-lived perennial tropical legume, growing in the warm season. Main production is in summer. Grazing, but has been used for hay and silage. |
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Area of adaptation | Far North Coast, North West Slopes. |
Min. average annual rainfall | Far North Coast: 800–1000 mm. North West Slopes: 650–700 mm. |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Light-textured well-drained soils. Not suited to hard-setting soils. |
Varieties | Wynn |
Sowing rates: |
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Sowing time | A high level of hard seed allows sowing between September and early March. |
Companion species | Compatible in mixtures with adapted species. |
Inoculation | Group M |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and molybdenum. |
Main insect pests | Relatively free from pests. |
Main diseases | Relatively free from disease. |
Management | In first season, allow seed-set for future plant recruitment, as plants die after about 16–18 months. Hard short-duration grazing suits Wynn. Do not allow selective continuous heavy grazing, which can lead to Wynn cassia dominance. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Some cassia spp. (e.g. C. obtusifolia and C. occidentalis) have been associated with poisoning in ruminants and horses — both leaves and seeds were toxic, and muscle damage was the main effect. So far there have been no problems reported for C. rotundifolia. |
Additional tips |
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Further information | Agnote 1-102 Wynn round-leafed cassia. |
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