There is an absence of drought tolerant herbaceous perennial forage legume and herb options other than lucerne (
Medicago
sativa
L.) for environments with Mediterranean-like climates common in extensive areas of Southern Australia, the
Mediterranean basin, and Chile. Therefore, a collection of 174 forage perennial legume and herb entries from 103 species
and 32 genera was evaluated for adaptation in a diverse range of Mediterranean climatic environments in Southern
Australia. The seasonal rainfall distribution varied from moderately to highly winter dominant with long term average
annual rainfall ranging from 318 to 655 mm. The entries were rated for productivity and persistence over 3 yr. The 12 entries
identified as the most promising for winter, summer, or all-year round production included
Bituminaria bituminosa
(L.)
C.H. Stirt. var.
albomarginata;
Cichorium intybus
L.;
Cullen australasicum
(Schltdl.) J.W. Grimes;
Dorycnium hirsutum
(L.) Ser.;
Kennedia prostrata
R. Br.;
Lotononis bainesii
Baker,
Lotus pedunculatus
Cav.;
L. corniculatus
L.;
L. cytisoides
L.;
Medicago sativa subsp.
sativa L.;
Medicago sativa subsp.
caerulea (Less. ex Ledeb.) Schmalh., and
M. sativa subsp.
falcata (L.) Arcang. These entries maintained production and persisted for the period of the evaluation, with the exception
of
C. intybus and
L. corniculatus that declined in persistence over time. The potential role of these species in extensive
grazing systems in Mediterranean climatic zones, their attributes and limitations, and current progress in developing them
as useful forage plants was discussed.
