Bindoon subterranean clover

Origin

Released by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in 2008, Bindoon originates from a cross between the variety Denmark and an F₁ hybrid between two accessions from Italy with seedling tolerance to RLEM. Breeding and selection was conducted by Dr Phil Nichols of DPIRD. It was one of 12 breeding lines and 6 commercial varieties evaluated, as part of the National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program, in trials in WA at Williams, Kojonup and Esperance and three sites in eastern Australia. Trials were conducted under periodic grazing over three years without use of insecticides to allow the improved RLEM resistance of Bindoon to be expressed.

Bindoon is named after the town of the same name in Western Australia.

Varietal characters

Bindoon flowers about 108 days in Perth after an early May sowing, similar to Seaton Park and York, about a week later than Urana and Forbes (available in 2019), two weeks later than Dalkeith and 2-3 weeks earlier than Narrikup (Table 1).

Fresh leaves of Bindoon contain low levels (around 0.1% of dry matter) of the oestrogenic compound, formononetin (Table 1). This indicates a very low potential to cause ewe infertility or difficult lambing.

Laboratory measurements show Bindoon has a similar level of hardseededness to Seaton Park and Junee, but is less hardseeded than York, Urana Dalkeith and Forbes (Table 1). This makes Bindoon well suited to permanent pastures and cropping rotations, where cropping frequency is less than once every 3 years. It is not suited to 1:1 crop/pasture rotations.

There is no information at present on relative tolerance of Bindoon to herbicides commonly used on subterranean clover pastures.

*Based on proportion of hard seeds remaining at the break of season 

Disease and pest resistance

Emerging seedlings of Bindoon and Narrikup suffer less damage from RLEM than other midseason subterranean clovers (Table 2). This is most evident at low to moderate RLEM densities, but this advantage is less at high RLEM densities. Work by CSIRO has demonstrated that RLEM fed less and produce less progeny on subterranean clovers with cotyledon resistance.

Field ratings indicate trifoliate leaves of Bindoon also suffer less damage from RLEM and lucerne flea than other cultivars in winter and spring (Table 2), but there is no information on its susceptibility to blue green aphid. Insecticides should be used to maximise seedling establishment and pasture production of Bindoon when RLEM, lucerne flea or aphid densities are high

Bindoon is resistance to Race 1, the most widespread race, of clover scorch disease (Kabatiella caulivora), compared to the susceptibility of Seaton Park and York (Table 2). However, Bindoon is susceptible to Race 2, which is prevalent on the Esperance sandplain, and is likely to suffer herbage and seed production losses under conditions favourable for spread of the disease.

Bindoon has resistance to race 177 of root rot caused by Phytophthora clandestina, a widespread race across southern Australia (Table 2). However, similar to York, it is susceptible to race 173, another widespread race.

Bindoon has not been formally screened for resistance to other diseases, but there have been no reports of susceptibility to leaf rust (Uromyces trifolii-repentis), cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora zebrina), or powdery mildew (Oidium sp.).

Field performance

Over all sites and seasons, regenerating seedling densities of Bindoon were 69% greater than York and 72% more than Seaton Park (Figure 1). These higher seedling densities translated into 53% greater winter herbage production than York and 22% more than Seaton Park. The increased RLEM seedling tolerance of Bindoon is likely to be at least partly responsible for its excellent early season performance, which occurs at the time of greatest feed shortage. Spring biomass production was similar to Seaton Park and 14% more than York (Figure 1). Bindoon is an excellent seed producer and maintained seed bank densities 33% greater than York and 40% more than Seaton Park (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Winter and spring biomass production, seedbank and seedling regeneration densities of Bindoon, Seaton Park and York averaged over 3 seasons at 6 sites across southern Australia (as a percent of York)

Use of Bindoon

Bindoon is a replacement for York and Seaton Park, with greater RLEM resistance, improved early season herbage and seed production and resistance to Race 1 of clover scorch. It is suited for use on well-drained, moderately acid (pHCa 4.5 - 6.5) soils with 425 - 600 mm mean annual rainfall zone, corresponding to a growing season length that extends to late October. It is well suited to permanent pastures and cropping rotations where cropping frequency is less than once every 3 years. It is not suited to 1:1 crop/pasture rotations.

Bindoon can be mixed with Urana, Losa, Dalkeith or Forbes (available in 2019) in the drier part of its target zone, while in the wetter parts of its zone it can be mixed with Narrikup, Coolamon  or Campeda. Monti, Riverina or Yanco can be added to the mixture for paddocks with patches subject to waterlogging.

Bindoon should be inoculated with Group C rhizobial inoculant prior to sowing.

Seed availability and PBR status

Seed of Bindoon can be purchased through agents selling PGG Wrightson Seeds.

Bindoon is protected under the Plant Breeders Rights Act 1994. Under the Act sale of Bindoon seed can only be carried out by agreement with the licensee, PGG Wrightson Seeds Australia Pty Ltd. However, this does not restrict sale of produce, such as hay or silage, provided seed was legally purchased.

For seed sales information visit pggwrightsonseeds.com.au