Poor Legume Performance
Why clover and lucerne aren’t thriving
Legumes such as clover and lucerne are key to nitrogen fixation and pasture productivity, but many farmers notice poor growth or patchy coverage despite applying fertiliser. This isn’t always due to lack of nutrients — often it’s because the soil and plant system isn’t supporting effective nitrogen fixation and legume growth.
By addressing the underlying biological and structural factors in soil, growers can improve legume establishment, health, and nitrogen contribution to pastures.
Why legumes underperform
Poor legume performance is usually caused by multiple, interacting factors:
Nutrient deficiencies
Even with fertiliser applied, certain trace elements (like molybdenum, phosphorus, or boron) are critical for nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Deficiency limits growth.
Low soil biology
Weak microbial activity reduces rhizobia effectiveness and nitrogen conversion, limiting the benefit legumes can provide to the system.
Soil structure and compaction
Compacted or poorly aerated soils restrict root penetration and reduce nodule development.
Environmental stress
Drought, waterlogging, or frost can prevent legumes from establishing or recovering after grazing.
When these factors combine, legumes fail to thrive and nitrogen contributions to pastures are reduced.
Why standard approaches sometimes fail
Simply adding fertiliser or reseeding doesn’t always solve the problem. Without a healthy soil system:
Nitrogen fixation is limited
Nodulation is poor
Pasture balance suffers
Growth remains patchy and inconsistent
Legumes need more than inputs — they require supportive soil biology and structure to perform consistently.
How to improve legume performance naturally
Rather than relying solely on fertiliser or reseeding, growers can:
Support soil biology to improve rhizobia efficiency
Address key trace element availability for nodulation
Improve soil structure and drainage
Ensure pastures are resilient to environmental stress
When these factors are addressed, legumes establish more successfully and contribute more effectively to pasture nitrogen.
Where our products fit (practical tools growers use)
Our products strengthen the soil environment, supporting legume growth and nitrogen fixation:
Lazerhume
Enhances soil biology and microbial diversity, promoting effective nodulation and nitrogen cycling.
Optimise iO
Supports microbial activity and nutrient availability, helping legumes establish strong root systems.
Restore
Provides extra biological support for soils under stress, improving legume resilience and recovery.
Turbo N
Supports efficient nitrogen utilisation and encourages rapid regrowth in mixed pastures.
Using these products consistently helps legumes thrive, improves nitrogen fixation, and strengthens overall pasture performance.
When this approach won’t help
Extremely poor soils may require additional remediation (lime, drainage, or trace element amendments)
Severe compaction or persistent waterlogging may limit root growth
Environmental extremes (drought, frost) can still suppress establishment
Even in these cases, supporting soil biology and structure increases the effectiveness of other interventions.
Related growing problems
Poor legume performance often occurs alongside:
Strengthening soil biology and nutrient cycling supports both legumes and overall pasture productivity.
Frequently asked questions
Will adding fertiliser fix poor legume growth?
Not always. Fertiliser helps, but healthy soil biology and adequate trace elements are key to effective nitrogen fixation.
How long before legumes show improvement?
Visible responses can appear within weeks, but full establishment and nitrogen contribution build over the season.
Can these products replace reseeding?
They support existing and newly sown legumes, improving establishment success, but they complement — not replace — good pasture management.
Key takeaway
Legumes require more than fertiliser to thrive. By supporting soil biology, nutrient cycling, and root development, growers can improve clover and lucerne growth, maximise nitrogen fixation, and achieve stronger, more productive pastures.
Discover solutions to the most common pasture, crop, and soil problems.
Visit our Growing Problems Hub to explore all growing challenges and practical solutions for healthier, more productive pastures, crops & vines.