Lucerne is a Perennial Summer Legume which is well adjusted to perform in almost all areas of South Africa. It is widely adopted but prefers deep, well drained soils with neutral to high PH.
It can be sowed in clean, well prepared soils at a density of 25-30kg per ha under irrigation.
It is advised that seeds must be treated with Rhizobium Bacteria.
Lucerne can produce high yields from 18-30 tons of dry matter per ha per season when properly irrigated and given enough fertilizer.
It uses 21kg K, 13kg Ca, 2.7kg Mg, 2.7kg P, 2.7kg S and 25-30kg N to produce 1ton dry matter.
Optimum Planting Date for Lucerne is from February to May.
AGSALFA 9.1
Dormancy: 9
Features:
- Good Tolerance to soil Salinity and Sodicity, High Yield,
- High Resistance to Phytopthera , Stem and Root Nematodes,
- High Resistance to Blue-Green, Pea and Spotted Aphids.
ML 99
Dormancy: 10
Features:
- 40% more leafs per stem, very high yield,
- High Resistance to Crown Rot, Stem Nematodes,
- High Resistance to Pea and Spotted Aphids,
- Very high quality hay production.
Topaz
Dormancy: 9
Features:
- Good Tolerance for Phytopthera, Crown Rot and Bacterial Wilt,
- High Resistance to Stem Nematodes and Spotted Aphids,
- High Resistance to White Fringed Beetle.
Supernova
Dormancy: 9
Features:
- Fast summer grower with big leafs and thin stems,
- High resistance to Phytothera, Stem Nematodes.
AG777
Dormancy: 7
Features:
- Fast summer grower with big leafs and thin stems,
- High resistance to Phytothera, Stem Nematodes,
- High Quality,
- Fine stems for easy baling.
SPECTRA
Dormancy: 9
Features:
- Large number of fine, erect stems per plant,
- Good yield,
- Strong Robust plants with low crown for grazing,
- Excellent disease and pest resistance profile.
ASCEND
Dormancy: 10
Features:
- High hay Quality,
- Quick regrowth after cutting,
- Excellent standing persistence,
- Strong pest and disease resistance,
- Well suited to hot climates.
