Publication Date
2022
Publisher
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
City
Perth
Abstract
Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Birdsfoot trefoil is a temperate, herbaceous, perennial pasture legume native to the Mediterranean basin, Europe and parts of Eurasia and Africa. It is now cultivated in many of these areas and in parts of the United States, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Birdsfoot trefoil is more tolerant of acid soils and waterlogging but less drought-tolerant than lucerne (Sandral et al. 2006). Birdsfoot trefoil has had no commercial impact in high rainfall south-western Australia (Moore et al. 2021) and requires annual rainfall greater than 650mm and a growing season longer than 7.5 months to persist (Sandral et al. 2006). As a temperate species there is no apparent role for birdsfoot trefoil in northern Western Australia.
Number of Pages
3
Keywords
weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia, Birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus
Disciplines
Biosecurity | Weed Science
Recommended Citation
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
(2022), Lotus corniculatus - environmental weed risk assessment 2022. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Report.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_wra/63
