Silverosa GT 7 Lucerne (Medicago sativa)
Silverosa GT is the benchmark for multi-purpose, grazing tolerant lucerne. It has inbuilt disease and pest resistance, produces premium quality forage and is salt tolerant.
Key Features
Plant Characteristics
Where can I grow it?
Seed Size
Sowing Rate
Blend Rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Silverosa GT grows well on a wide range of well-drained soils including deep loams, sands and loam over gravel or clay but does not produce as well on shallow soil types. Silverosa GT has improved acid soil tolerance, although it is highly recommended to lime prior to sowing. All lucernes are sensitive to high aluminium levels which reduce root development in low pH soils.
Saltlander® technology in Silverosa GT extends the potential for growing lucerne in more saline soils, where the key factor is long-term persistence. Most established lucerne stands will withstand short-term saline shock but Silverosa GT will thrive at salinity levels of up to 10,000ppm (mg/L) and persist, with lower production, at even higher salinity levels.
Survival levels will vary from site-to-site due to the chemical composition of salts and interactions with other soil factors such as pH and soil moisture/water profiles. Silverosa GT should not be expected to survive in extremely saline areas.
Silverosa GT will benefit from annual applications of lime, phosphorus and potassium, especially if removing hay/silage from the paddock.
Lucerne can be established successfully whether it is sown in autumn, winter or spring. The time of sowing normally depends on the rainfall and climate of the region. Autumn establishment is better suited to winter active or highly winter-active varieties as they have better frost tolerance. Delayed sowing allows the opportunity to improve weed control and seedbed preparation. For spring-established lucerne aim to sow mid-August onwards as the soil temperature begins to increase and daylight increases.
Sow at 6-15kg/ha (dryland) or 15-30 kg/ha (irrigation) alone or 1-4kg/ha when a component of a pasture blend. Sow at approximately 1cm depth. Lucerne seed must be inoculated with the AL strain of rhizobium to ensure effective nodulation and prompt establishment. Silverosa GT is only available as a coated seed which enhances seed vigour.
Do not over sow into an ‘old’ and thinning lucerne stand. Allow a minimum of one year between stands to create an effective disease break.
Monitor regularly during emergence for insect damage from pests such as RLEM, aphids and lucerne flea and spray if required. Silverosa GT is highly resistant to spotted, blue-green and pea aphid species. It also has good levels of resistance to nematodes (eg highly resistant to root-knot, resistant to root-lesion and moderately resistant to stem nematode).
Phytophthora root rot, Anthracnose, Stagonospora and Fusarium crown rot can severely damage lucerne however Silverosa GT has high resistance levels to these diseases.
Silverosa GT is highly resistant to rust and downy mildew, and also resists common leafspot, Phoma (spring blackstem), Pepperspot and Stemphylium leaf spot.
Spray out any old pasture/crops with glyphosate prior to sowing but speak to your Upper Murray Seeds agronomist about the correct rate to use depending on the size of weeds present. Also consider using a pre-emergent herbicide such as trifluralin.
Weed control in young lucerne can be challenging due to its slow seedling growth. Most broad-leaf herbicides cannot be applied until the lucerne is at the third trifoliate leaf stage.
Weeds need to be treated when small. Once a stand is established (>1 year) there are more weed control options and herbicide efficacy is improved.
Silverosa GT will withstand prolonged periods of grazing, but first allow the stand to reach approximately 20cm high and ensure that the plants cannot be pulled out prior to grazing. Allow lucerne to flower in its first year so the plant can strengthen its crown and taproot.
Monitor the first grazing carefully and remove stock before they begin to graze near the crown of the plant. Rotational grazing (or strip grazing) is essential for productivity and longevity of the stand. Silverosa GT can withstand long periods of set-stocking provided sufficient moisture is available. Avoid damaging the crown of the lucerne plant.
Silverosa GT is highly regarded due to its ability to produce top quality, out-of-season feed. It has a high leaf:stem ratio, excellent palatability and digestiblity. Silverosa GT has high levels of metabolisable energy and is a reliable source of crude protein.
Bloat is the most common animal health issue, especially in cattle. Ensure roughage (hay/straw) is available. To optimise livestock weight gain and health, ensure livestock are vaccinated and drenched. To prevent nutritional problems, make gradual diet changes when introducing hungry stock to lush pastures. Contact an Upper Murray Seeds agronomist for more information.
Silverosa is protected by patent. The use of this variety is restricted to hay, forage and pasture production. Its use for any other purpose such as propagation by seed or any other means, or reselection, or source of parental material in lucerne breeding, or a parental component in seed production is an infringement under the Patents Act 1990.
Silverosa is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. Unauthorised commercial propagation or any sale, conditioning, export, import or stocking of propagating material of this variety is an infringement under the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994.