Super Siriver Lucerne

Origin and Breeding:

'Super Siriver' was developed by recurrent mass selection among disease-resistant survivors from old fields of 'Siriver'. Plants were selected on plant characteristics, superior fodder yield, reliable seed production and improved disease and pest resistance. In each cycle of selection plants with superior features were retained and others were eliminated before flowering.

The parent of 'Super Siriver', the Australian variety 'Siriver', has been the most widely grown variety in Australia since it was released in 1980.  It was selected as the parent of the new variety particularly because of its broad adaptation and high fodder yield in both australian and international markets. 'Super Siriver' is more productive and has higher levels of disease and pest resistance than its parent. This was achieved through traditional breeding methods.

Agronomic Characters:

Plants are moderately tall, semi-erect with leafy stems frequently with leafy branches. 'Super Siriver' plants are winter active (rating 8) with strong autumn and spring growth and vigorous recovery from cutting or grazing. It is early flowering with flowers varying from light to dark blue, rarely white. In resistance to pests and diseases 'Super Siriver' is superior to 'Siriver' (see table 1). Independent tests for levels of resistance in 'Super Siriver' were conducted by Crop Characteristics Inc. MN, USA.

Table 1 Disease and pest resistance of 'Super Siriver' and 'Siriver'

* HR - highly resistant, R - resistant, MR - moderate resistant, S - susceptible

In a replicated cutting trial in 2002-2003, hay yield was determined in two year old irrigated  stands of 'Super Siriver' and 'Siriver'. Management was as in commercial crops. Cuts were taken on December 12th 2002,  January 10th 2003 and February 4th 2003. Cut material was field dried to approximately 12% moisture before weighing.

In this trial the 'SUper Siriver' yield was 16% higher than the 'Siriver yield. In the following year the difference was 25% in the first two cuts.

In a comprehensive trial established at Keith in South Australia in 2003, the performances of 28 varieties and elite lines were compared in an irrigated replicated field trial.

The highest yielding varieties over three hay cuts in 2003-2004 were 'Super Sirver' and 'Super Sequel' which averaged 2.5 tonnes/hectare. In this trial 'Super Siriver' out yielded 'Siriver' by 10%.

The above trials indicate that 'Super Siriver' is clearly more productive and more pest and disease resistant than its parent 'Siriver'.