Lucerne Advisor Series: Why tiller density matters for lucerne persistence

Lucerne doesn’t just fade out with age — it fades out when tiller density drops. If you want lucerne to keep producing season after season, the number of active tillers per square metre matters.

In winter, lucerne slows down — but management choices during this period can have a big impact on persistence, recovery, and productivity into spring.

What is tiller density — and why does it matter?

A lucerne tiller is a shoot that emerges from the crown and contributes to leaf growth, recovery and feed production. The more active tillers per square metre, the more:

• Grazing or cutting opportunities you’ll get
• Light is intercepted for regrowth
• Weeds are suppressed (especially winter broadleaves like capeweed)

As lucerne thins out, gaps appear. Those gaps fill with weeds — not new lucerne.

Visual recommendation:
Include an aerial comparison photo or diagram showing dense vs sparse lucerne stand with tiller counts

How grazing pressure affects tiller density

Every graze is a stress event. If lucerne is grazed too often or too hard:

• Crowns lose energy
• Root reserves deplete
• New tiller production slows down or stops

In winter, lucerne grows slowly — so it needs longer recovery times between grazes. Overgrazing during this time doesn’t just reduce feed — it shortens stand life.

Ideal tiller density target:

• Dryland: 50–100 tillers/m²
• Irrigated: 120–150 tillers/m²
  (Count shoots from 10 plants in a 1m² quadrat — average to get your density)

Boosting tiller numbers through good management

To encourage tillering and longevity:

• Graze rotationally, not continuously
• Avoid grazing under wet conditions
• Don’t graze again until shoots are 2–3cm from the crown
• Let it flower at least once a year to rebuild root and crown reserves

Fertility matters too — P and K deficiencies reduce shoot development long before symptoms show. Use test results to keep nutrients up, especially after hay cuts.

Varieties that support strong tillering

Some lucerne varieties naturally produce more basal shoots and retain density longer — especially under mixed grazing/hay programs.

• Q63 lucerne
  A moderate winter active variety, this high-yielding lucerne offers strong production even outside the peak season. Recovering quickly from grazing and fodder use, thanks to its high leaf-to-stem ratio, Q63 also boasts excellent resistance to pests and diseases.
• L97 lucerne
  Bred for saline conditions, this highly winter active category extends the range of soils where lucerne can thrive. With outstanding winter growth, L97 ensures consistent, high-quality feed year round, for grazing or cutting.

Conclusion

You don’t lose lucerne to age — you lose it to low tiller density.
Every graze, every cut, every nutrient decision affects crown health and shoot recovery.

In winter, give lucerne time to rest and rebuild. Let it store energy. Let it produce new tillers. And make sure your variety is built to hold up season after season.

Let’s build a stronger stand

If you’re seeing gaps or reduced regrowth, now’s the time to reset. Here are a few more guides to help you protect tiller density and overall persistence:

• Managing your first season lucerne for longevity
• When to cut and how to feed lucerne for value
• Lucerne in rotation – how to know when it’s time

Want help choosing a lucerne with strong tillering habits?
Talk to AlfaGen about options like Q63 or L97 for your rotation.