Companion legume species for chicory in a phased farming system

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a productive perennial pasture species that is well adapted to a range of environments and could be a viable ‘new’ alternative perennial species suited to phased farming systems in south-eastern Australia. However, chicory needs suitable legume companion species to meet its high nitrogen demand. The objectives of this study were to assess a) the compatibility of three commonly used self-regenerating annual legume species, arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi), balansa clover (T. michelianum Savi) and subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.), and a perennial legume species, lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), as companion species for chicory; b) the productivity and persistence of different chicory-legume mixtures over 3 years; and c) the performance of subsequent crops after pastures were terminated. Four field experiments were conducted in two contrasting environments over 5 years. Pasture establishment, productivity and persistence were monitored over 3 years for each experiment in the pasture phase. Crop performance was assessed at one field site for two cropping seasons following removal of pastures either in spring or autumn. Results showed that the chicory-legume mixtures produced more herbage dry matter compared to the chicory only treatment. Subterranean clover was the most compatible legume species with chicory due to its greater persistence and reliable regeneration at both sites. By contrast, lucerne was highly competitive with chicory at the high fertility site, but failed to persist at the low fertility site making it a poor companion legume species for chicory in both instances. There was no grain yield penalty in the first wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop after late pasture removal, e.g. autumn removal, for most chicory-legume mixtures, providing up to 6 months additional feed for livestock before commencing a cropping phase.