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 Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum). Subterranean clover is a grazing tolerant annual pasture legume from the Mediterranean Basin which is sown over 8 million hectares (ha) in Western Australia (WA) and 29 million ha across southern Australia. It is used in permanent pastures and in rotation with crops. A range of cultivars are available for areas adapted to ranging from 275 to 1200mm annual average rainfall. Subspecies subterraneum is adapted to well-drained, moderately acidic soils. Subspecies yanninicum is suited to moderately acidic soils with poor drainage. Subspecies brachycalycinum is best suited to neutral-alkaline, cracking or stony soils and generally fails to persist in WA. In experimental trials in northern 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, Subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Weed Science

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