An analysis and comparative study of the growth characteristics and nutritional value of Desmanthus (Desmanthus spp.) cultivars as a potential silage

Abstract

Desmanthus (Desmanthus spp.) is a promising improved pasture legume for use across tropical, subtropical and possibly temperate Australia (Gardiner 2016). Since introduction there has been significant investment in the development of new cultivars (McLachlan 2021). Importantly, this includes the Progardes® range, which comprises a large number of newly developed cultivars including JCU 1 (D. leptophyllus), JCU 2 (D. virgatus), JCU 3 (D. virgatus), JCU 4 (D. bicornutus), JCU 5 (D. virgatus), JCU 6 (D. bicornutus), JCU 7 (D. leptophyllus), JCU 8 (D. virgatus) and JCU 9 (D. pernambucanus) (Gardiner 2016; McLachlan 2021). Being tolerable to the northern environment and more importantly heavier textured soils, Desmanthus cultivars can be used to redefine the opportunities for livestock grazing performance (Gardiner 2016). The objective of this study was to analyse and compare six cultivars of the leguminous plant Desmanthus in relation to the selected parameters of growth and development and nutritional quality for potential silage production. This entailed implementation of a greenhouse trial involving nelly bin plots at The University of Queensland Gatton Campus Nursery Facility.