Developing ecologically‐adapted plants for farming systems in southern Australia: perennials for the medium to low rainfall zone

摘要

Rising watertables and increasing soil salinity have led to the realisation that current farming practises in southern Australia are unsustainable.Lucerne was the only perennial legume available for the medium‐to low‐rainfall region, although it is not adapted to low soil pH, waterlogged conditions or soil salinity and requires some summer rain.However, it possesses the key characteristics required for perennials in the medium‐rainfall region, namely, a deep‐rooting system and some summer activity to utilise out‐of‐season summer rain.These characteristics were used in the search for other perennials to increase the diversity of species available.Species identified as having high potential for the medium‐rainfall region include chicory, phalaris and sulla.For the low‐rainfall region increased summer dormancy is required to survive the summer drought.Species showing potential for this region include birdsfoot trefoil, plantain and cocksfoot.The use of genetic resources is essential in the development of ecologically‐adapted pasture species.