Lecture 5: Zones

Question 1

What are temperate perennial pasture zones

Answer 1

grow perennial grasses and perennial legumes due to high rainfall, South-East Aus Coast

Question 2

What are temperate perennial grass– annual legume pasture zones

Answer 2

perennial grass but annual legumes (not perennial), not enough rainfall, South-West and South-East Coasts

Question 3

What are Mediterranean annual pasture zones

Answer 3

more inland and therefore less water, cannot grow any perennial plants, South-West Coast/inland and South-East inland/ some coast

Question 4

influences on pasture growth

Answer 4

• soil moisture/distribution and vol of rain
• solar radiation
• adaptation to factors
• soil type
• topography
• water use efficiency
• persistence during grazing

Question 5

4 ways to use a pasture

Answer 5

1. permanent pasture – same pasture every year
2. ley farming – rotation of pastures and crops every year, same type of pasture and crop each time
3. phase farming – rotation is longer between different types of crops and pastures (5 years crop, 2 years pasture etc)
4. green manure – use of pastures to improve soil without any animals living on pasture -> fertilising with pasture

Question 6

What species grow in north aus

Answer 6

• native grasslands majority due to heat and variable climate (on coast),
• Mitchell grass and acacia scrublands.
• infrequent sowing of grasses inland (buffel grass),
• Leucaena (legume shrub), Rhodes grass (inland

Question 7

What species grow in South Aus

Answer 7

• native grasslands in many varieties
• e.g. wallaby grass, redgrass
• low productivity but used for grazing on NSW slopes

Question 8

How are Temperate Perennial Zones used

Answer 8

• perennial ryegrass and white clover
• high production and nutritive value
• adapted to grazing but restricted to costal areas for high rainfall
• ryegrass requires Nitrogen supplied

Question 9

Lucerne use

Answer 9

• Lucerne = perennial, deep-rooted legume. persists in >400mm rainfall (due to moisture in roots), sown as mixtures with other grasses and annual legumes, needs basic soil, struggles with water logging. If grown with a crop, will die. Will live for years, but does not regenerat
• grown in temperate perennial grass – annual legume zone

Question 10

phalaris use

Answer 10

extends limit of perennial grasses to 500mm rain, most drought tolerant temperate grass in Aus -> sown with subterranean clover
- grown in temperate perennial grass – annual legume zone

Question 11

What is grown in 3. Mediterranean annual pasture zone

Answer 11

• subclover and annual medics = basis of legume ley pasture system
• annual legumes persist on >350mm
• medics prefer clay loams and high pH
• annual ryegrasses and other grasses and forbs are well adapted to area -> capeweed, barely grass