Whilst clovers and medics may look healthy above the ground, below the ground may be another story.

South East Local Land Services (LLS) will ask land managers how well they know their nodules in workshops across the south east and ACT this spring.

The workshops will provide information about the role of legumes in our pasture systems: why they are important; how legume nodules are formed; what can influence nodule health; how to assess nodules in the field, and; how to improve nodulation.

"We have learnt a lot over the past ten or so years about the factors that influence legume nodulation and nitrogen fixation and these workshops will focus on what land managers can do to assist with their pasture legume performance," LLS senior agriculture advisor Jo Powells said.

Pasure legumes are crucial to a healthy and sustainable pasture, but only if they are well nodulated and these are functioning properly, she said.

"Nodulation occurs when a specific type of bacteria in the soil called rhizobia infect the roots of a legume plant forming a small lump or nodule at the point of contact. The rhizobia and legume form a symbiotic relationship but soil conditions such as acidity, fertility and moisture can influence how successful the relationship is.

"Well nodulated legumes provide a biologically sustainable source of soil nitrogen that can be used to promote the growth of our pastures."

Knowing Your Nodules workshops will start in September and will be held between 10am-2pm at the following locations:

Milton: Thursday, September 26

Berry: Friday, September 27

Southern Highlands: Thursday, October 3

Goulburn: Friday, October 4

Bungendore: Saturday, October 12

Braidwood: Monday, October 14

Bega: Thursday, October 24

Moruya: Friday, October 25

ACT: Saturday, October 26

Bombala: Thursday, October 31

Cooma: Friday, November 1

To RSVP contact your nearest LLS office.

The workshop was developed by LLS and uses findings from recent nodule surveys completed by staff across southern NSW and the ACT, it also encompasses recent work from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, GRDC, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food and CSIRO.

The workshops are supported by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.