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 Barrel medic (Medicago truncatula). Barrel medic is a temperate annual pasture legume native to the Mediterranean region which is adapted to a wide range of soils from sandy loams to clays but prefers a neutral to alkaline pH (pHwater > 6.5), and not prone to waterlogging or salinity. It is more productive and persistent in low rainfall areas than subclover, but sensitive to insect damage; redlegged earth mite, lucerne flea and aphids (Howie et al. 2007). In south-western Australia barrel medic is mainly grown on alkaline soils in the low rainfall eastern wheatbelt which are unsuited to subclover. It is also grown in subtropical environments like south-east Queensland as a winter-spring growing legume to complement summer growing grass pastures. In experimental trials in northern Western Australia (WA) the annual legumes and herbs had good feed quality but in general, with low forage yields under irrigation, are unlikely to be economically viable (Moore et al. 2021).

Number of Pages

3

Keywords

weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia, Barrel medic, Medicago truncatula

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Weed Science

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