Considerations with annual medics
Sarah Baker, AusWest Seeds, South West NSW
Annual medics (Medicago spp.) are legumes used in lower rainfall regions that belong to the same genus as lucerne. Medics were introduced into Australia from the Mediterranean region and a number have become naturalised (Thompson & Menz; unknown). Large seed size, high levels of hard seed and a short growing season enable medics to grow in areas where other temperate legumes, such as subterranean clover, struggle to persist. The main growing season for all annual medics is autumn, winter and spring, reflective of their Mediterranean origins. Medics require an annual average rainfall of 250 mm in southern NSW and 450 mm in northern NSW.
Uses for medics in farming systems include, nitrogen (N) build up before a cropping phase, components of pasture mixes and hay production. Including grasses that persist in low rainfall environments in medic pasture mixes can provide variety and reduce bloat risk. Suitable grasses include, Mediterranean tall fescues such as Flecha and Hispanic cocksfoots such as Uplands.
Management
Grazing management of medics is especially important during the first year to ensure good seed
set. Unlike sub clovers, which bury their seed in the soil, medics are aerial seeders and during
the summer the seed pods remain on the ground surface. The size of the pods (see Figure 1) means
they are easily consumed by livestock, especially sheep. This can reduce the seed bank for
following years.
While the growing season for all types of annual medics is similar, preferences to soil texture
varies between species. Most are suited to neutral to alkaline soil types. Medics are very
sensitive to sulfonylurea (SU) herbicide residues which are commonly applied to cereal crops.
There are varieties of medics which have been bred for SU residual tolerance including Sultan
barrel medic and Angel strand medic. Another trait that has been bred into some medics is the
pod holding trait found in Cheetah barrel medic and Jaguar strand medic. The pod holding
characteristic means pods stay attached to mature plants for longer; mature leaves stay on the
plant increasing feed value and seedling vigour and growth rates are higher, than non-pod
holding varieties (Lake, 2010).
Below are details on the four main annual medics that are currently widely used and available; Barrel medic, Snail medic, Strand medic and Spineless burr medic. There are several other types of medics including Disc medic, Gamma medic, Button medic, Murex medic and Sphere medics which will not be discussed however more information can be found in the NSW DPI Pasture Varieties Guide used in New South Wales.
Barrel & Snail medics
Barrel medic (Medicago truncatula)
Barrel medics have barrel shaped pods and a prostrate trailing growth habit. While the pods have
some spines these are not hooked so do not cling to the wool of sheep. Barrel medics prefer
neutral to alkaline soil pH levels and do not grow well in deep sands, areas prone to
waterlogging or salinity.
Varieties:
- Caliph: early maturing, high hard seed levels, tolerant of blue green aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid
- Cheetah: early maturing, hard seeded, pod holding trait, resistant to blue green aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid, tolerant of red-legged earth mite and lucerne flea
- Paraggio: mid to late maturing, moderate hard seed levels, moderate resistance to blue green aphid and low resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid
Snail medic (Medicago scutellata)
Snail medics have large snail shaped pods and an erect growth habit. The pods are eaten by sheep which can provide summer feed however it also reduces the seed bank. Snail medics grow on neutral to alkaline soils and heavier soils including self-mulching clays.
Varieties:
- Sava – early maturing, hard seeded, good resistance to aphids
- Kelson – mid to late maturing, high hard seed levels, moderate resistance to aphids
Strand & Spineless Burr Medics
Strand medic (Medicago littoralis)
Strand medics have spineless, barrel shaped pods and a prostrate growth habit. Strand medics
prefer neutral to alkaline soil pH and free draining sandy loams. They are not very tolerant of
waterlogging.
Varieties:
- Angel – early maturing, moderate hard seeded, SU tolerant, moderate resistance to aphids
- Jaguar – early maturing, moderate hard seeded, pod holding trait
Spineless burr medic (Medicago polymorpha var. brevispina)
Spineless burr medics have a prostrate, trailing growth habit. The pods differ from naturalised burr medic in that the pods do not have spines so do not catch on the wool of sheep. Spineless burr medics grow best in lighter soils, from mildly acidic red-brown sandy loams to clay loams. Burr medics are tolerant of waterlogging and mild salinity.
Varieties:
- Scimitar – mid maturing, moderate hard seed levels, tolerant of blue green aphids
- Cavalier - mid maturing, moderate hard seed levels, tolerant of acid soils
Summary
- Annual medics are well suited to low rainfall environments where sub-clovers struggle to persist
- Grazing management in the first year is key for good seed set
- There are a number of different species of medic, therefore it is important to consider which is best suited to your system
Further Reading:
References:
- Thompson, RB. & Menz, I. (unknown). Medic Pastures in New South Wales. Department of Primary Industries
- Lake, A. (2010). New pod holding medics; what were and how, and why do I need legumes in my pasture? Proceeding from: Pasture Update Wagga Wagga, 2010