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- Title
Harvesting subterranean clover seed – current practices, technology and issues.
- Authors
Moss, Wesley M.; Guzzomi, Andrew L.; Foster, Kevin J.; Ryan, Megan H.; Nichols, Phillip G. H.
- Abstract
Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is Australia's most widely sown annual pasture legume. Its widespread use as a pasture plant requires a well-functioning seed production industry, and Australia is the only significant producer of subterranean clover seed globally. However, the sustainability of this industry is under threat due to its reliance on ageing harvest equipment and the resultant environmental impacts. In order to evaluate seed harvesting practices, technology, and issues, we report on case studies, workshops, and a survey of seed producers across southern Australia. The Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester, designed in the 1950s, remains the most popular subterranean clover seed harvester. We discuss its use and modifications, and document several contemporary issues facing the seed production industry. Issues are primarily soil erosion and degradation; the expensive, slow and labour-intensive harvest process; and poor reliability and maintainability of harvesters that are now at least 30 years old. We conclude the root cause of these issues is the suction harvest technology utilised by the Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester. Analysis of the current harvest system is provided to support the development of new approaches to harvest subterranean clover seeds. Subterranean clover is the backbone of sheep and beef pastures in southern Australia. However, harvesting subterranean clover seed is slow, difficult, and causes environmental issues, which we determined is due to the industry's reliance on 60-year-old vacuum harvesters (which suck seed up from the ground). We evaluate current harvesting practices and machinery to support the development of new harvest systems that are urgently needed for the advancement of this important Australian industry.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIA; CLOVER; SEED harvesting; PASTURE plants; SOIL degradation; SEEDS; TEXTILE machinery
- Publication
Crop & Pasture Science, 2021, Vol 72, Issue 3, p223
- ISSN
1836-0947
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/CP20269