When successfully established, lucerne will be productive over the life of the stand. Attention to detail at establishment in order to optimise plant density is critical as recruitment is limited.
Site selection
Select a site 12 months in advance of sowing and soil test for pH and nutrient levels.
Lucerne has limited tolerance to soil acidity. Soils that have a pHCa of 4.8-5.2 are at the lowest range suitable for the best growth and persistence of the lucerne and rhizobia. Ideally, these pH levels need to be corrected with the use of agricultural lime.
Lucerne is best established on:
- upper and mid slope sites
- well drained duplex soils
- areas which are at risk to groundwater rise
- coloured sands, loamy sands or finer textured soils.
Characteristics of better sites are:
- pH ≥5.2 (CaCl2) in the surface 30cm
- increasing pH with increasing depth
- well drained and not waterlogged for excessive periods
- moderate to high fertility
- low salinity levels (EC <3 deciSiemens per metre)
- contain low weed populations
- low existing herbicide residues (particularly Group B sulphonylurea herbicides)
- soils with a depth of at least two metres (m) with no limiting chemical or physical conditions in the subsoil such as poor structure.