In this section:
Print 
Sulla (Hedysarum)
Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) originates from the Mediterranean region where it is used for hay/silage and fodder production. In Italy sulla is the second most utilised pasture legume after lucerne.
The main attributes of sulla;
- Contains condensed tannins
- Anthelminthic (i.e. reduces internal parasite burdens)
- Non-bloating
- High protein – good hay/silage (leaf stays on stem)
- Highly palatable
- High dry matter production (eg. 2nd year stand 20t DM/ha at Booborowie, SA)
- Branched tap root
- Cross pollinated, the presence of bees enhances seed production
- Short-lived perennial (some plants live for two years)
- Readily sets seed and regenerates from seed
- Summer dormant – will not respond to rain or irrigation until autumn
- Legume – fixes nitrogen
- Requires own specific rhizobium to form N-fixing root nodules
- Prefers well drained alkaline clay or loam soil
- Does not like water-logging
- Annual rainfall 400mm – 800mm in Australia
- Preferred climate in Australia; mediterranean, temperate & sub-tropical
Varieties from SARDI
- Wilpena A and Moonbi A are the first two Australian varieties developed through SARDI & NAPLIP (National Annual Pasture Legume Improvement Program)
- Wilpena A (seed available 2009) & Moonbi A (seed available 2010)
- Wilpena A, tall, later flowering, suitable for fodder production
- Moonbi A, semi- erect, earlier flowering, suited to rotational grazing
- Both produce more dry matter and seed than the NZ variety Aokau
- Wrightson Seeds Australia Pty. Ltd. marketing both
This information is a summary 'Sulla - the wonder legume' (PDF) by Scott Woollard, Wrightson Seeds
A project was undertaken to develop a management package for sulla. A project summary can be found by clicking here, and the the management package is available in pdf form below.
The Sulla Management Package (PDF) is a comprehensive management guide for sulla production, produced by SARDI with funding from Pastures Australia
