University of Tasmania, Australia

Study identifies new legume as showing promise as a feed source where other legumes will not grow

A new legume with potential for growing in saline and waterlogged areas is the subject of award-winning research by University of Tasmania Agricultural Science PhD student Adam Langworthy.

The 22-year-old from Hobart was named the winner of the AEV Richardson Memorial National Student Award at the Ag Institute Australia (AIA) forum held at the Devonport Entertainment and Convention onFriday August 23 2013.

Adam, who has taken a student leadership role at the University of Tasmania - organising and chairing meetings, and promoting the Young Crawford Group - is the second UTAS graduate to win the award, following in the footsteps of the inaugural winner, Tamieka Pearce.

The award recognises the best research from undergraduate students who have completed an honours research project as part of an agricultural science (or related) degree. One student from each AIA division in Australia is selected to compete and they must provide a written piece on the outcomes of their research and present a 15-minute talk to a judging panel before the winner is announced.

The six finalists included representatives from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney universities.

For his honours project, which he completed last year, Adam evaluated varieties of the grazing herb species Lotus tenuis, commonly known as 'narrow-leaf birdsfood trefoil', and assessed how it coped with the stresses of extreme heat and cold and how grazing affected the ability of the legume to tolerate that stress.

His work won the Ag Institute Australia Medal (Tasmanian Division) for the most outstanding Bachelor of Agricultural Science graduate.

Adam learned about Lotus tenuis during a summer studentship evaluating alternative pasture species and doing preliminary screening of the legume accessions as part of a Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation project.

"I decided to take a closer look at the salinity and waterlogging tolerance and nutritive value of different cultivars," he explained.

Lotus tenuis is best known on the Argentine Flooding Pampas with some also grown in the US, Canada and New Zealand.

Adam said a preliminary study of the large, low-spreading plant found it had a nutritional value similar to lucerne with high crude protein levels - "It shows some promise as a useful feed source in areas where other legumes will not grow" - and a Tasmanian seed company is exploring opportunities for commercial seed production.

Adam's research findings will be incorporated in a poster presentation at the 22^nd International Grassland Congress in Sydney, from 15-19 September.

With an older sister who is a lawyer and no rural background, Adam was inspired to study agriculture when he attended a UTAS Agricultural Science expo at college and later undertook work experience on a friend's dairy farm.

With a developing interest in pastures from both the scientific and practical farming aspects, Adam is now building a small cattle herd, and admits he has a soft spot for the Holstein and British Friesian breeds.

"I would love to spend more time farming and breeding stud stock but for now study and research take up most of my time," he said.

In November, Adam will start his PhD in pasture physiology at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Dairy Centre at Burnie, and aims to develop a career in research and lecturing.