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 Lucerne, alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Lucerne (alfalfa) is often called the ‘queen of forages’ and is one of the most important fodder crops in the world. Its nutritional properties, palatability and productivity make it the standard by which other fodders are compared. It is the most widely grown temperate perennial legume in the world and is also grown under irrigation in the Middle East. Lucerne has been used with variable success across the Pilbara region under irrigation. Its productivity is typically reduced with high temperatures in the summer wet season and consequently it has been difficult to manage consistently over a 12-month period. The issues for growing lucerne in northern Western Australia (WA) mainly relate to the impact of high to extreme temperatures before the onset of the wet season and over summer, and the high humidity over the wet season in coastal and high rainfall zones on disease incidence and therefore persistence. Stand life is generally only 1–2 years. Cluster caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) has caused substantial damage in some Pilbara crops (Moore et al. 2021).

Number of Pages

3

Keywords

weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia, Lucerne, alfalfa, Medicago sativa

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Weed Science

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