Gauteng Smallholder Gauteng Smallholder September 2017 | Page 37

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Sericea to control parasitic
nematodes appears to be a
viable alternative to grazing
CT forages for goats.
Low tannin varieties are now
available. These have greatly
improved forage quality, with
finer stems and contain
enough tannin to prevent
bloat. Sericea lespedeza var
Au-louton is the cultivar with
lower tannin levels and is
more palatable.
It grows from mid-September
on the Highveld and is killed
back to the crown by hard
frosts. Early summer planting,
with optimum temperatures
for germination and growth
ranging from 20-30°C, along
with effective weed control,
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will most often result in well-
developed plants that
produce some seed by the
end of the first season.
The species grows best where
annual rainfall is 700 mm or
more. Frost kills all above-
ground growth and conse-
quently it is of very little use
as a winter foggage. It will
tolerate soils ranging from
very acidic to slightly alkaline,
but is best adapted to a pH of
6 to 6.5.
Seeds are nearly impervious
to water, and must be
scarified to enhance germina-
tion. It is relatively slow to
establish, having a rather
weak, vulnerable seedling
stage, and should therefore
preferably be planted as pure
stands to avoid competition
by other plants. Germination
and seedling growth are
regulated by day length and
temperature, and growth is
best when day-length exceeds
eleven hours.
It is imperative to inoculate
the seed, since the bacterial
IN THE FIELD
culture enables the plants to
make their own nitrogen. De-
hulling improves germination
and seedling viability.
The seeds should be planted
into a level, firm seedbed that
has been prepared well
ahead of planting. The seed
should be planted to a depth
of 5 mm.
It responds well to fertilisa-
tion, but can be grown in
areas too acidic and infertile
to support other forage
legumes.
Weed control is very impor-
tant and will shorten the
period from planting to
utilisation.
It has been recognised as
quality forage due to its high
levels of crude protein.
Livestock often show
preference for grasses when
first exposed to S lespedeza,
but will eat it readily after a
day or two. Sheep and goats
appear more tolerant of it
than cattle. Pastures should
be grazed on a rotational
basis when plants are 150 –
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200 mm tall. It is important
not to cut or graze below 120
mm for optimum regrowth
and subsequent yield.
Livestock readily consume S
lespedeza when in the form
of hay. It should be cut for
hay when the plants are 0,3 –
0,5m tall, and two or three
hay cuttings can normally be
made per year, depending on
moisture availability. A unique
trait of the species as a hay
crop is the high rate at which
the forage dries. It can be
baled within 24 hours of
cutting and, under excellent
drying conditions, perhaps in
late afternoon after having
been cut in early morning.