Bulletin 4133 - Fungal diseases of pasture legumes in Western Australia

Authors

M. J. Barbetti, Western Australian Department of Agricutture

Files

Publication Date

9-1989

Series Number

4133

Abstract

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is the most important annual pasture legume in Western Australia, forming the basis of some 6.5 million ha of annual pastures. The success of subterranean clover may be attributed to its ability to increase soil fertility as a consequence of nitrogen fixed, to withstand heavy grazing, to control soil erosion and, with some cultivars, to tolerate waterlogging. Fungal diseases have been a major limitation to the productivity of subterranean clover, affecting both the amount of plant matter and the quantity of seed produced.

Annual medic (Medicago spp., in particular M. polymorpha L.) is also an important pasture legume in this State. Annual medics have the ability to be productive on some soils for which no other suitable pasture legume exists. Their persistence characteristics, which result from their high seed yield and high proportion of hard-seed, make .them suitable for a range of different environmental conditions and for use in tight pasture/cropping rotations. A rapid extension in the area of annual medics is underway with an estimated 410 000 ha having been sown from 1985 to 1988. So far, only occasional outbreaks of severe fungal disease have been seen, but with annual medics now being grown in higher rainfall(> 450 mm) southern areas with longer pasture phases between crops, it is likely that diseases will assume greater importance.

Lucerne (Medicago saliva L.) is also a valuable fodder plant in Western Australia, particularly in areas with adequate rainfall or irrigation. Lucerne makes rapid growth in summer when supplied with water and so provides green feed when other pastures have dried off. Fungal diseases sometimes make it difficult to establish and maintain a profitable stand.

Perennial clovers, in particular white clover (T. repens L.) and strawberry clover (T. fragiferum L.), are also important pasture legumes in irrigated areas and in some areas where adequate summer rainfall occurs. Fungal diseases are sometimes also important in these fodder species

This bulletin summarizes information on the occurrence, importance and diagnosis of fungal diseases of pasture legumes in Western Australia.

Number of Pages

20

ISSN

0729-0012

Publisher

Western Australian Department of Agricutture

City

Perth

Keywords

Fungal diseases, Legumes, Pasture legumes, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Diseases | Fungi | Plant Biology | Plant Pathology

Recommended Citation

Barbetti, M J. (1989), Bulletin 4133 - Fungal diseases of pasture legumes in Western Australia. Western Australian Department of Agricutture, Perth. Bulletin 4133.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/306

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