Research note: Relative persistence of a range of lespedeza (Kummerowia) accessions, Aeschynomene falcata cv. Bargoo, and other legumes in two long-term trials in southern Queensland

Forty different legume accessions were sown into cultivated strips in other wise undisturbed grassland at 2 sites in southern coastal Queensland in 196 9. The accessions were primarily from cultivars and selections of Kummerowi a (formerly Lespedeza) stipulacea obtained from the USA, together with othe r accessions of lespedeza. Some commercially released cultivars, including Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro and Aeschynomene falcata cv. Bargoo, were sown as controls. Grazing was controlled in the first 4 years after s owing, but after that the sites were open to farm grazing. The sites were r egularly inspected for the first 5 years and then at 5-15 yearly intervals until 1999. Although lespedeza accessions established at both sites, and persisted for about 4 years at one site, they did not persist in the medium or long term. Siratro was usually the most productive species for the first 5 years, but then declined. In contrast, Bargoo persisted. When the sites were last ins pected in 1999, it was impossible to identify the exact location of the ori ginal plots, but there were several thick patches of Bargoo and scattered t o isolated Bargoo plants outside both experimental areas.