Factsheet Lucerne Inter Cropping With Cherries or Vines

8/3/2019 Factsheet Lucerne Inter Cropping With Cherries or Vines

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Inter-row management of lucerne in cherryand grape orchards

This fact sheet discusses the option of using the inter-row space between cherry and grapevine rowsto grow lucerne for hay or silage production (Figure 1,4). The opportunity to grow hay is based on asmall increase in irrigation in orchards where under tree-canopy sprinklers are used to irrigate. Theconcept is based on the experiences from one grower in the district, who has shown over 4 yearsthat he can return a gross margin of $2350/ha/yr from a inter-row hay enterprise based on anadditional 2 ML/ha water compared with a cherry or grapevine monoculture. This represents a moreefficient system compared to growing either cherrys or lucerne as a monoculture, which bothrequire around 12 ML/ha in the Riverland.

The debate on whether existing irrigation practices with above ground sprinklers in cherry andgrape-vine orchards are efficient is to be had elsewhere; we are recommending inter-row productionof lucerne because it improves the efficiency of the existing practice without costly modification ofthe irrigation system, and also because it adds diversity to the enterprise with the addition of lucernehay sales. This is particularly important given the reliance of the district to grape sales, whichreturned below cost of production in 2008/9.

Figure 2 illustrates the orchard design and placement of lucerne in the inter-row, and some of thebenefits of the system. From a practical experience (discussed in the case study Joe Gropler) themain benefit is being able to get a second income from lucerne hay using the inter-row space with

only a small amount of additional water.

Joe Gropler pictured in his cherry orchard with inter-row lucerne grown for hay production.

Making use of inter-row to grow lucerne can it work?

Figure 1. Lucerne grown for hay production in the inter-row of a cherry orchard at Barmera.

Photo of Joe Groplers orchard by Peter Ackland.


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Figure 2. Orchard design and potential benefits of growing lucerne in the inter-row of cherry and grapevines. Illus

man of the oints are a licable to ra

SSprinkler

evines.

Root system oaccessing watcherry roots. Lpotential to grlayer

Lucerne canopy insulates soil surface,keeping it cool

Higher reflectance of heat back ontocherries from bare soil.

Cherry production maintained

11 t/ha of lucerne hay can be achievedfrom inter-row.

Competition between lucerne roots andcherry roots in surface layer alleviatedwi

4 m

th 2 ML/ha.


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The experience from the case study suggests that 5 cuts of lucerne hay can be produced a year withan additional 2 ML/ha of irrigation water a year. This equates to 20% extra water, which is appliedwith every irrigation throughout the year. Fertiliser is supplied to the inter-row space with irrigation,and no additional fertiliser was used to grow lucerne for hay. Lucerne has a high requirement for P,

K & S and levels of these nutrients should be monitored annually.

Frost: A green canopy will increase the risk and severity of frost compared to bare ground. This isnot likely to be a problem for cherries but may be an issue for grapevines. It has not been a problemin 4 years for the case study farmer.

Nitrogen nutrition: Lucerne is a legume so it can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere with the help ofrhizobia, but this is an energy expensive exercise. It is cheaper (in terms of energy requirement) forlucerne to take up N from the soil. Monitor nitrogen levels for cherry/grape production.

Powdery Mildew/ Downey Mildew: The increased humidity from lucerne may increase the risk offungal infection in grapevines.

Potential disadvantages

Water-use and Fertigation

Case Study: Joe Gropler, Barmera wants you to Lucerne-upJoe is a pioneer of this production system. In 2005 he planted Sceptre lucerne in between Cherry trees,and he now grows 6 hectares of lucerne planted between cherry trees and grapevines. In 2009 he plansto sow the rest of his 40 hectare inter-row space to lucerne.

Lucerne-up to the facts

Irrigation on cherry trees = 12 ML/ha. Irrigation on grapevines = 8 ML/ha

Irrigation on cherry trees + lucerne = 14 ML/ha. Irrigation on grapevines + lucerne = 10 ML/haProduction from lucerne: 66 t hay (80%DW) from 6 ha (11t/ha of inter-row space)

Sales: Hay sales @ $300/t, $3300/haCosts: Irrigation, 2 ML/ha @ $300/ML is $600/ha

: Hay making costs (contract rates) @ $32/t or $352/ha: No additional fertiliser is being applied to the lucerne

Gross Margin of $2348/ha

Joe believes that many farmers in the district are purchasing extra water in these dry seasons to keeptheir cherry trees in production. According to Joe the cherry trees are benefiting from the lucerne, as in

hot weather it is reducing heat reflectance and increasing humidity in comparison to bare soil.

But does it really work or is this proof of inefficient irrigation?

According to SARDI Water Resources and Irrigated Crops at Loxton, Joes irrigation practices are onpar with industry standards for irrigating cherry and grapevines in the Riverland, using under canopysprinklers. Crop water estimation techniques (Allen et al 1998 - FAO 56) indicate that intercroppingrequires much less water than the combined crop water requirements of the two crops grown as amonoculture. This is partly due to the more efficient use of water that would otherwise evaporate fromthe soil surface, and the enhanced microclimate created by the increased leaf area. In addition, there isonly so much sunlight energy plants can capture and use, and this energy drives crop water use.

As a short term solution, lucerne appears to be providing and additional income with little extra water,and adding diversity to the enterprise that is at risk of being subjected to market fluctuations in theprice of grapes and cherries.


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Follow this handy checklist to successfully establish lucerne.

Timing With irrigation, there is a wide window of opportunity for sowing lucerne in the

Riverland, from autumn through to early spring. If possible, align sowing witha natural rainfall event, and use irrigation to maintain soil moisture. Autumnsown crops can yield 1 or 2 extra hay cuts in the first season but should besown before soil temperature falls. Optimum soil temperatures for sowinglucerne are between 10 and 20 C.

Variety Varieties differ in their amount of winter production, and whether they were

bred for irrigation. Good quality hay can be produced from a winter activityclass 7 variety like SARDI Seven. A highly winter active lucerne may give anextra hay cut in late autumn/early spring but with lower quality.

Purchase coated seed as this contains rhizobia, fungicide, nutrients &insecticide.

Pre-sowing Soil test paddocks to measure fertility and pH. If good fertiliser history for

cherries, nutrition should be adequate. Slash stubble early to reduce its length and aid breakdown. Use a pre-emergent herbicide such as trifluralin to reduce weeds at

establishment, work up and incorporate with harrows. Lucerne seedlings are very susceptible to insect damage. Use a bare earth

spray for red legged earth mite or use Gaucho treated seed.

Sowing Almost any seeder can be used that fits down the inter-row and can be

calibrated to the sowing rate. Coarse sand can be mixed with the seed ifcalibration is a problem, but check consistency of the mix.

Aim to sow lucerne seed no more than 10 mm deep into a moist seedbed.Seed can be dropped on a cultivated surface and rolled in with a tyre roller orincorporated by dragging some mesh (i.e. gate weldmesh). Seed can also bedirect drilled-aim for accurate seed placement using narrow points.

Sowing rate should be 15-20 kg/ha. Use coated seed that is already inoculated with rhizobium. This will also

contain essential nutrients for nodulation (Mo, Zn).

Post-sowing Monitor crops regularly for pests and control them with insecticides. If present,

red legged earth mite and lucerne flea will devastate lucerne establishment. Weed management post emergent herbicides for grass and broadleaf weeds

are available for lucerne (seek professional advice). Many weeds do no respond

to cutting (e.g. fat hen, deadly nightshade, stinging nettles), and will be out-competed by irrigated lucerne.

The young stand should be at least 20cm high before the first cut.

The lucerne establishment checklist


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Hay quality is heavily dependent on management and the weather. Various management practicescombined with the timeliness of operation can ensure good hay quality.

Management for hay production

Lucerne should be cut as low and as cleanly as possible (3-5cm). Keep mower blades sharp. In a vineyard/orchard there is no opportunity to windrow the cut hay. A mower that leaves the

hay where it is cut will work the best. Lucerne should be cut at the early bloom stage where 10-30% of the stems have open flowers.

Crown shoots are approximately 1-2 cm long on nearly half of the plants. New crown shootsshould be below mower height (Figure 3). At this stage, there should be sufficient root reservesin the cut plants to allow new shoots (which become the new stems) to grow away strongly.

Earlier cutting will achieve greater quality but will compromise yield. Later cutting will increaseyield but compromise quality. This trade-off may be acceptable to the orchard grower at peakcherry and grape picking times of the year. Lucerne will take approximately 8 weeks to reach 10-30% flowering, so good planning may avoid having to cut during peak work times.

Significant rainfall, or irrigation, on cut hay may wash out soluble nutrients, prolong drying timesand promote mould in the hay. Quick drying effectively locks in more nutrients, so be sure to makehay while the sun shines! In the field, 4 days are often required to cure lucerne hay in warm weather(30C).

A lucerne stand cut for hay can be expected to last for at least 6 years before it needs to be re-sown.

Time

Figure 3. Optimum timing for cutting lucerne hay. The top half of the figure shows the correctcutting time after the appearance of new shoots, when they are 1-2cm long but before they

reach the cutting height (5 cm). The bottom half of the figure illustrates that energy reserves

stored in the root are also at their highest at this time. (Source: anonymous)


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ConditioningThe leaf of lucerne in hay is much higher quality than stems, but dries at a rate which is 3-5 timesfaster than stems. A problem with making hay from lucerne is that the leaves can fall off during thehay making process. Conditioners can be used to bruise stems, and aim to increase their rate ofdrying so that they are ready to bale at the same times as the leaves. Conditioners can reduce curingtime by 25% (Lolicato and Lattimore 1998).

BalingHay bales can be produced in a variety of sizes and shapes, corresponding to the buyersrequirements. In an inter-row system, the baler will lift the hay directly from where it was cut,without raking. Hay should be baled with a moisture content of 18-20%. Hay stored with greaterthan 20% moisture will deteriorate with mould and presents a fire hazard in storage. Hay with lessmoisture will result in brittle leaves that shatter and result in lower yield and quality. Over-dry haycan be bailed at night time when air is moist, strengthening the hay (Lolicato and Lattimore 1998).

It is important to use experienced operators for hay bailing or to develop the necessary skills. Amore detailed guide on haymaking can be read in Irrigated lucerne by Lolicato and Lattimore

(1998).

Marketing your hayMost cherry and vineyard growers will not want to keep hay for their own use. Lucerne can bebaled in small squares for local horse enthusiasts, or in rounds for domestic and export markets.Round bales are less stable for stacking, and are less efficient in terms of space to transport. Roundbales are favoured by many dairy and livestock producers because they have equipment to feedthem out. Big square bales can not be used because they will not fit down the inter-row.Many producers advertise their hay in a local newspaper. Hay can be marketed using quality testsby sampling the hay and getting a feed value test from a laboratory. For further information visit theAustralian Fodder Industry Association website (www.afia.org.au). This association also has

advertisements for people wanting to buy and sell hay.

Suggested reading:1. Lolicato, S. and Lattimore, M. (1998) Irrigated lucerne, A guide to profitable irrigated lucernehay production in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Available DPI Victoria, Tatura availablefrom phone (08) 5833 52222. Australian Fodder Industry Association (www.afia.org.au)

Produced by Alan Humphries Mark Skewes and Dave Lewis, Primary Industries and Resources SA.May 2009

Disclaimer: The recommendations given in this publication are based on the best availableinformation at the time of writing. Primary Industries and Resources, SA makes no warrantyof any kind (expressed or implied) concerning the technology presented in this publication.All liability or responsibility to any person using this information/advice is expresslydisclaimed by PIRSA, its employees and agents.
http://www.afia.org.au/http://www.afia.org.au/http://www.afia.org.au/http://www.afia.org.au/


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Figure 4. Lucerne grown in the inter-row for hay production at Barmera. Photographs of Joe Groplersvineyard by Peter Ackland.

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Factsheet Lucerne Inter Cropping With Cherries or Vines