LUCERNES IN N.Z.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29506, 6 May 1961, Page 6

LUCERNES IN N.Z.

No Variety For AU Needs

In general the climate in New Zealand does not require the use of a wide range of lucerne varieties, but no single variety available at present meets al) requirements, says Mr C. E. Iversen, reader in agronomy at Canterbury Agricultural College, in a bulletin published by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. “There are a number of varieties all capable of giving about the same yield, although with some difference in season of production Establishment and management practices are responsible for greater differences in yield than are varieties. “New Zealand certified is a very flexible lucerne with its high production for hay, suitability for grazing and opportunity for a profitable seed crop. “On lighter soils subject to summer drought, use can be made of longer season varieties capable of utilising the available moisture and providing some grazing in the off season. Provence and Hunter River are suitable tot this purpose. "Du Pints may have some place in cooler damper climates when grass intrusion is a problem of lucerne production. “If use is to be made of creeping lucernes as legumes in a mixed sward further selections are necessary to provide types with a longer season of growth.” Mr Iversen says that at the college they have nearly completed the selection of an earlier strain of the grazing variety. Glutinosa, with a greater creep. On light land farms where subterranean clover has been in use for some years, he says that a good mixed rward

can be obtained with this plant Sowings of 41b to 61b of Glutinosa with 11b to 21b each of cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass in spring in land heavily burdened with subterranean clover seed can give, with careful management, a first class, highproducing mixed sward These have been maintained for six years at the college. The production figures through drought years are a high recommendation, states the writer. The advantage of the plant has been its compatibility with other species in a mixed sward giving a pasture much easier to graze than pure lucerne at a succulent stage of growth.