Inter-row management of lucerne in cherry and grape orchards

Making use of inter-row to grow lucerne can it work? This fact sheet discusses the option of using the inter-row space between cherry and grapevine rows to grow lucerne for hay or silage production (Figure 1,4). The opportunity to grow hay is based on a small increase in irrigation in orchards where under tree-canopy sprinklers are used to irrigate. The concept is based on the experiences from one grower in the district, who has shown over 4 years that he can return a gross margin of $2350/ha/yr from a inter-row hay enterprise based on an additional 2 ML/ha water compared with a cherry or grapevine monoculture. This represents a more efficient system compared to growing either cherrys or lucerne as a monoculture, which both require around 12 ML/ha in the Riverland. The debate on whether existing irrigation practices with above ground sprinklers in cherry and grape-vine orchards are efficient is to be had elsewhere; we are recommending inter-row production of lucerne because it improves the efficiency of the existing practice without costly modification of the irrigation system, and also because it adds diversity to the enterprise with the addition of lucerne hay sales. This is particularly important given the reliance of the district to grape sales, which returned below cost of production in 2008/9. Figure 2 illustrates the orchard design and placement of lucerne in the inter-row, and some of the benefits of the system. From a practical experience (discussed in the case study Joe Gropler) the main 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. 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.

Figure 2. Orchard design and potential benefits of growing lucerne in the inter-row of cherry and grapevines. Illustration is for cherries but many of the points are applicable to grapevines.

Cherry production maintained

Transpiration from lucerne increases humidity in tree canopy, which may reduce heat stress on tree. Dust reduction from lucerne

11 t/ha of lucerne hay can be achieved from inter-row. Higher reflectance of heat back onto cherries from bare soil.

Integrated pest management. Observations suggest that lucerne harbours beneficial insects for cherry pests

Lucerne canopy insulates soil surface, keeping it cool

Fertigation supplied fertiliser to cherries and vines may be sufficient for lucerne production check P, K, S

Sprinkler

Sprinkler

0 cm

30 cm 30 cm
Competition between lucerne roots and cherry roots in surface layer alleviated with 2 ML/ha. Root system of lucerne may be accessing water from beneath shallow cherry roots. Lucerne does have the potential to grow into the carbonate layer

75 cm

4m

Water-use and Fertigation The experience from the case study suggests that 5 cuts of lucerne hay can be produced a year with an additional 2 ML/ha of irrigation water a year. This equates to 20% extra water, which is applied with 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. Potential disadvantages Frost: A green canopy will increase the risk and severity of frost compared to bare ground. This is not likely to be a problem for cherries but may be an issue for grapevines. It has not been a problem in 4 years for the case study farmer. Nitrogen nutrition: Lucerne is a legume so it can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere with the help of rhizobia, but this is an energy expensive exercise. It is cheaper (in terms of energy requirement) for lucerne 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 of fungal infection in grapevines. Case Study: Joe Gropler, Barmera wants you to Lucerne-up Joe 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 plans to 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/ha Production from lucerne: 66 t hay (80%DW) from 6 ha (11t/ha of inter-row space) Sales: Hay sales @ $300/t, $3300/ha Costs: 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 keep their 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 on par with industry standards for irrigating cherry and grapevines in the Riverland, using under canopy sprinklers. Crop water estimation techniques (Allen et al 1998 - FAO 56) indicate that intercropping requires much less water than the combined crop water requirements of the two crops grown as a monoculture. This is partly due to the more efficient use of water that would otherwise evaporate from the soil surface, and the enhanced microclimate created by the increased leaf area. In addition, there is only 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 the price of grapes and cherries.

The lucerne establishment checklist

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 with a natural rainfall event, and use irrigation to maintain soil moisture. Autumn sown crops can yield 1 or 2 extra hay cuts in the first season but should be sown before soil temperature falls. Optimum soil temperatures for sowing lucerne 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 activity class 7 variety like SARDI Seven. A highly winter active lucerne may give an extra 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 if calibration 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 or incorporated by dragging some mesh (i.e. gate weldmesh). Seed can also be direct 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 outcompeted by irrigated lucerne. The young stand should be at least 20cm high before the first cut.

Management for hay production Hay quality is heavily dependent on management and the weather. Various management practices combined with the timeliness of operation can ensure good hay quality. 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 shoots should be below mower height (Figure 3). At this stage, there should be sufficient root reserves in 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 increase yield but compromise quality. This trade-off may be acceptable to the orchard grower at peak cherry and grape picking times of the year. Lucerne will take approximately 8 weeks to reach 1030% 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 times and promote mould in the hay. Quick drying effectively locks in more nutrients, so be sure to make hay 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 correct cutting 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)

Conditioning The leaf of lucerne in hay is much higher quality than stems, but dries at a rate which is 3-5 times faster than stems. A problem with making hay from lucerne is that the leaves can fall off during the hay making process. Conditioners can be used to bruise stems, and aim to increase their rate of drying so that they are ready to bale at the same times as the leaves. Conditioners can reduce curing time by 25% (Lolicato and Lattimore 1998). Baling Hay bales can be produced in a variety of sizes and shapes, corresponding to the buyers requirements. 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 greater than 20% moisture will deteriorate with mould and presents a fire hazard in storage. Hay with less moisture will result in brittle leaves that shatter and result in lower yield and quality. Over-dry hay can 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. A more detailed guide on haymaking can be read in Irrigated lucerne by Lolicato and Lattimore (1998). Marketing your hay Most cherry and vineyard growers will not want to keep hay for their own use. Lucerne can be baled 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. Round bales are favoured by many dairy and livestock producers because they have equipment to feed them 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 tests by sampling the hay and getting a feed value test from a laboratory. For further information visit the Australian 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 lucerne hay production in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Available DPI Victoria, Tatura available from phone (08) 5833 5222 2. 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 available information at the time of writing. Primary Industries and Resources, SA makes no warranty of any kind (expressed or implied) concerning the technology presented in this publication. All liability or responsibility to any person using this information/advice is expressly disclaimed by PIRSA, its employees and agents.

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