Dion Nicol

Agronomy and ecophysiology of Cullen cinereum and C. graveolens for use as potential pastures in low rainfall areas of the southern Australian wheatbelt

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Cullen cinereum and C. graveolens are productive herbaceous legumes naturally occurring in sodic alkaline soils in semi-arid and arid regions of Australia. As expected from their biology and distribution, these plants appear very well adapted to extremely variable climates and hostile environments. These expected traits could develop resilient, low input pasture systems into low rainfall areas such as the eastern wheatbelt of WA.

Currently, Dion is testing these two species in situ as a potential ephemeral summer active pasture system that regenerates and grows during wet summers. Their strong winter dormancy, outstanding summer vigour and physically dormant seeds show great promise to complement current mixed farming systems.

Dion’s research fall into the CRC’s Program 2 research area and is related to the Perennial Legume Forages For a Dry Mediterranean Climate Project.

Objectives:

To test C. cinereum and C. graveolens potential in wheatbelt environments and systems
To increase the knowledge on subsoil constraints in sodic alkaline soils
To develop a new farming system for the eastern wheatbelt based on annual Cullen species.

For more information, email Dion.