Response of subterranean clover, balansa clover, and gland clover to lime when grown in mixtures on an acid soil

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 824 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Hayes ◽  
B. S. Dear ◽  
B. A. Orchard ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
P. L. Eberbach
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Mn Toxicity ◽  
Annual Legumes

This study compared the relative tolerances of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), balansa clover (T. michelianum Savi.), and gland clover (T. glanduliferum Boiss.) to acid soil conditions. Seed yield, seedling density, herbage production, N2 fixation, and herbage mineral composition of the 3 legumes were assessed when grown on an acid soil (pHCa of 4.3 and 15% exchangeable Al [0–0.10 m]) with and without the addition of lime (CaCO3). Annual legume species were sown in a mixed sward together with burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.), and in mixtures with either lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). Due to drier than average seasonal conditions, none of the perennial species persisted beyond the first summer. Lime increased the herbage production of annual legumes by 18–22% and total pasture production by 14% in both 2002 and 2003. Subterranean clover was the most tolerant of the annual legumes to acid soil conditions, showing no visible toxicity symptoms and no response to lime in terms of seed yield. In contrast, both balansa and gland clovers exhibited visual symptoms of manganese toxicity in the absence of lime, with Mn concentrations in the shoots of 817 mg/kg and 626 mg/kg, respectively. Both species responded positively to lime with seed yields increasing by 45% and 124%, respectively. Lime increased the proportion of herbage N derived from N2 fixation by subterranean clover from 29 to 40% and by gland clover from 30 to 43%. Lime had no effect on the proportion of N2 fixed by balansa clover (29–31%), suggesting a suboptimal symbiosis of rhizobia with that species. Adding chicory or phalaris to the pasture mix increased sward herbage production in the establishment year by 39% and 21%, respectively. Based on leaf symptoms and herbage yield responses to lime, Mn toxicity was present in lucerne with tissue levels of up to 916 mg/kg, but no symptoms were observed in chicory (1129 mg/kg) or phalaris (403 mg/kg). Chicory and phalaris were more tolerant of acidity and high levels of Mn than lucerne, gland clover, and balansa clover. The study highlighted the value of the small-seeded annual legumes, balansa clover and gland clover, to the production of mixed pasture swards even in drier than average seasonal conditions. Although more sensitive to acid soils than subterranean clover, they set a greater number of seeds and, in the case of balansa clover, a greater weight of seed under moisture stress in the establishment year than the larger seeded subterranean clover.

scholarly journals Exogenous ACC Deaminase Is Key to Improving the Performance of Pasture Legume-Rhizobial Symbioses in the Presence of a High Manganese Concentration

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1630
Author(s):  
Ana Paço ◽  
José Rodrigo da-Silva ◽  
Denise Pereira Torres ◽  
Bernard R. Glick ◽  
Clarisse Brígido
Keyword(s):  
Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Acc Deaminase ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Endophytic Bacterium ◽  
Manganese Concentration ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Mn Toxicity ◽  
Pasture Legume

Manganese (Mn) toxicity is a very common soil stress around the world, which is responsible for low soil fertility. This manuscript evaluates the effect of the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. Q1 on different rhizobial-legume symbioses in the absence and presence of Mn toxicity. Three legume species, Cicer arietinum (chickpea), Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover), and Medicago polymorpha (burr medic) were used. To evaluate the role of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase produced by strain Q1 in these interactions, an ACC deaminase knockout mutant of this strain was constructed and used in those trials. The Q1 strain only promoted the symbiotic performance of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii ATCC 14480T and Ensifer meliloti ATCC 9930T, leading to an increase of the growth of their hosts in both conditions. Notably, the acdS gene disruption of strain Q1 abolished the beneficial effect of this bacterium as well as causing this mutant strain to act deleteriously in those specific symbioses. This study suggests that the addition of non-rhizobia with functional ACC deaminase may be a strategy to improve the pasture legume–rhizobial symbioses, particularly when the use of rhizobial strains alone does not yield the expected results due to their difficulty in competing with native strains or in adapting to inhibitory soil conditions.

Effect of gypsum on establishment, persistence and productivity of lucerne and annual pasture legumes on two grey Vertosols in southern New South Wales

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 435 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
R. C. Hayes ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
K. Y. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Legume Seed ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Annual Legumes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Pasture Yield

Changes in pasture yield and botanical composition due to gypsum application were examined on Vertosols at two locations of differing soil sodicity, Grogan and Morangarell, in southern New South Wales. Two pasture treatments were examined. One was an annual pasture comprised of 3 annual legumes (2 subterranean clover Trifolium subterraneum L. cultivars, Clare and Riverina, and balansa clover T. michelianum Savi cv. Paradana), while the second treatment consisted of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Aquarius sown in a mixture with the same annual legumes. Gypsum had no effect on the establishment or persistence of lucerne at either site. Gypsum increased the number of subterranean clover seedlings present in autumn in annual swards at the more sodic Grogan site in each of the 4 years, but provided no difference when the clover was in a mixture with lucerne. Annual legume seed yields in annual-only swards increased with gypsum by up to 58% at Grogan and 38% at Morangarell. Seed yields of both cultivars of subterranean clover declined as a proportion of the total annual legume seed bank when lucerne was included in the mixture, in contrast to balansa clover (at Grogan) and the naturalised annual legumes, burr medic (M. polymorpha L.) and woolly clover (T. tomentosum L.), which all increased in relative seed yield in the presence of lucerne. Total pasture production at the Grogan site increased with gypsum by up to 15% per annum in annual swards and 36% in lucerne swards depending on the season. Yield responses to gypsum by the lucerne component were observed in 10 of the 13 seasonal yield measurements taken at Grogan. However, total pasture yield and seasonal yields were unaffected by both gypsum and pasture type at the less sodic Morangarell site. It was concluded that sowing a diverse mixture of annual legumes or polycultures was conducive to maintaining productive pastures on these spatially variable soils. Lucerne dried the soil profile (0.15–1.15 m) more than annual pastures at both sites. The combination of gypsum and lucerne enhanced water extraction at depth (0.6–1.15 m) at the Grogan site increasing the size of the dry soil buffer whereas gypsum increased soil water at depth (>0.6 m) under annual swards.

The response of alfalfa genotypes to different concentrations of mobile aluminium

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
A. Liatukienė ◽  
R. Skuodienė
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Al Toxicity ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Tolerance Index ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Plant Vigour

Abstract The morphological traits of alfalfa under acid soil conditions with different mobile aluminium (Al) concentrations were investigated. The study site was Vėžaičiai Branch of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, 55°70 N, 21°49 E. The experiment featuring the 30 most Al-tolerant alfalfa accessions (populations and cultivars), determined from laboratory trials was established on a Bathygleyic Dystric Retisol in 2018. In 2019 and 2020, the biological and morphological traits were evaluated: plant regrowth, plant height before flowering, wintering, leafiness, stem thickness, plant vigour, stem density, seed yield and resistance to spring black stem leaf spot. The resistance of alfalfa to mobile Al toxicity was determined using a filter-based screening method of selection cycles C1 and C2. The accessions grown in the soil with mobile Al (20.6–23.4 mg/kg) showed better tolerance to Al toxicity in the cycle C2. The hypocotyl tolerance index of these accessions was better at 8, 16, 32 and 64 mm AlCl3 concentrations in the cycle C2. The correlation analysis showed strong significant positive and negative relationships between the morphological traits. A cluster analysis showed that the accessions, grown in the soil with mobile Al (20.6–23.4 mg/kg) were the most resistant to Al toxicity in the cycle C2. These accessions produced a better seed yield and demonstrated lower values of morphological traits compared to cluster 2. Also, these accessions are considered as tolerant to mobile Al toxicity and might be used as donors in breeding for Al toxicity tolerance.

Nutrient problems in sown pasture on an acid soil. 2. Role of lime and superphosphate

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (106) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Phosphorus Uptake ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
P 16 ◽  
Exchangeable Magnesium

A study was made of the role of superphosphate and lime on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) production on an infertile acid soil in pot culture. Both fertilizers increased the exchangeable calcium in this deficient soil. Lime and superphosphate were involved in nodulation of the clover plants. There was no evidence of the direct involvement of either of them in the nitrogen fixation process, but they did increase nitrogen uptake by the plants. Once the legume functioned adequately, full expression of the yield response to phosphorus on this deficient soil followed. Most efficient phosphorus use occurred at the lime 1255, superphosphate 2000 kg ha-1 level (lime 1/2, P 16). Heavy lime dressing reduced exchangeable magnesium and the phosphorus available to the plant. Aluminium and pH were involved in the effects observed. Lime reduced CaCl2-extractable aluminium and the titratable acidity in the soil. Phosphate increased the CaCl2-extractable aluminium and apparently reduced the titratable aluminium. The combined treatments reduced these three attributes and promoted increased plant growth. Increased plant growth was associated with increased aluminium uptake by the plants, which suggests that the real effect of aluminium may have been on the calcium and phosphorus uptake by the plants, rather than on the toxic nature of the element itself.

The short-term effects of rock phosphate and super-phosphate on a subterranean clover pasture.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
PG Ozanne
Keyword(s):  
Rock Phosphate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
First Year ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Second Year

A 2-year field experiment is described, in which an annual-type pasture was grown on a soil of lateritic origin with various initial rates of rock phosphate and superphosphate. The soil was acutely deficient in plant-available phosphorus at the outset. Application of superphosphate led to the expected increases in total pasture production, but rock phosphate also gave substantial yield increases, even during the first season. Differential species effects were noted; subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and cape-weed (Cryptostemma calendula Druce) responded about equally to superphosphate, but the clover responded to rock phosphate to a greater extent than did cape-weed. Both relative efficiency for total plant growth and percentage utilization of applied phosphorus were much higher with the soluble phosphatic fertilizer than with rock phosphate, especially in the first year. However, phosphorus recovery from rock phosphate was as high in the second year as in the first, whereas there was a marked decrease in the second year from superphosphate.

Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 2. Effect of perennial density and species on subterranean clover populations and the relative success of 3 clover cultivars of different maturity

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
B. A. Orchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Clover Seed

The effect of the density of 3 perennial species, phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia richardsonii Kunth), and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), on seed set, regeneration, and the relative competitiveness of 3 cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was examined in 2 environments in the south-eastern Australian wheatbelt. Seed yields of subterranean clover were inversely related to perennial density at both sites over the first 2 years, the relationship varying with perennial species. Phalaris depressed the seed yield of clover more than lucerne and wallaby grass in the second and third year at equivalent densities. Clover seed yield was positively related to clover herbage yield in late spring at both sites, and inversely related to perennial herbage yield. Clover seed yield displayed an increasing linear relationship with the proportion of light reaching the clover understorey in spring, which in turn was inversely related to perennial density and perennial herbage yield. Clover seedling regeneration in mixed swards in autumn was positively related to the size of the summer seed bank, but negatively related to perennial density. Clover seedling survival following a premature germination at Kamarah was inversely correlated to the density of phalaris and lucerne in the sward. The relative competitiveness of the 3 subterranean clover cultivars varied between sites, with climatic conditions (rainfall and growing-season length) having a greater effect on the relative cultivar performance than companion perennial species or density. The later maturing subterranean clover cv. Goulburn became the dominant cultivar at the wetter site, constituting 72% of the seed bank, but declined to only 3–8% of the seed bank at the drier site. The proportion of the early flowering cultivar Dalkeith in the seed bank increased over time at the drier site and was highest (53%) in plots with the highest perennial density. We concluded that although perennial pasture species will depress clover seed yield and subsequent regeneration, these effects could be minimised by reducing perennial densities and exploiting variations in competitiveness between perennial species as identified in this study. Sowing earlier maturing subterranean clover cultivars would only be an advantage in increasing clover content in low-rainfall environments. The findings suggest that clover seed reserves and regeneration could also be increased by using grazing management to reduce the level of shading of clover by perennials, a factor associated with reduced clover seed yield.

Nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with varying densities of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.)

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
P. S. Cocks ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
A. B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Pure Culture ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The proportions of biologically fixed (Pfix) plant nitrogen (N) and the total amounts of N2 fixed by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with different densities (5, 10, 20, or 40plants/m2) of newly sown phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were followed over 3 years in a field study using the 15N natural abundance technique. The amount of fixed N in subterranean clover was linearly related to shoot biomass. Over the 3-year period, subterranean clover fixed 23–34 kg N/t shoot biomass compared with 17–29 kg N/t shoot biomass in lucerne. Based on above-ground biomass, pure subterranean clover fixed 314 kg N/ha over the 3 years compared with 420–510 kg N/ha by lucerne–clover mixtures and 143–177 kg N/ha by phalaris–clover mixtures. The superior N2 fixation by the lucerneŒsubterranean clover mixtures was due to the N fixed by the lucerne and the presence of a higher subterranean clover biomass relative to that occurring in the adjacent phalaris plots. In the first year, 92% of subterranean clover shoot N was derived from fixation compared with only 59% of lucerne. The reliance of clover upon fixed N2 remained high (73–95%) throughout the 3 years in all swards, except in pure subterranean clover and lucerne in August 1996 (56 and 64%, respectively). Subterranean clover usually fixed a higher proportion of its N when grown in mixtures with phalaris than with lucerne. The calculated Pfix values for lucerne (47–61% in 1995 and 39–52% in 1996) were consistently lower than in subterranean clover and tended to increase with lucerne density. Although lucerne derived a lower proportion of its N from fixation than subterranean clover, its tissue N concentration was consistently higher, indicating it was effective at scavenging soil mineral N. It was concluded that including lucerne in wheat-belt pastures will increase inputs of fixed N. Although lucerne decreased subterranean clover biomass, it maintained or raised Pfix values compared with pure subterranean clover swards. The presence of phalaris maintained a high dependence on N2 fixation by subterranean clover, but overall these swards fixed less N due to the lower clover herbage yields. Perennial and annual legumes appear compatible if sown in a mix and can contribute more N2 to the system than where the annual is sown alone or with a perennial grass. These findings suggest that increases in the amount of N2 fixed can be achieved through different legume combinations without interfering greatly with the N fixation process. Different combinations may also result in more efficient use of fixed N2 through reduced leaching. Further work looking at combinations of annuals possibly with different maturity times, different annual and perennial legume combinations, and pure combinations of perennial (e.g. lucerne) could be investigated with the aim of maximising N2 fixation and use. Grazing management to encourage clover production in mixtures with phalaris will be necessary before the potential of subterranean clover to contribute fixed N2 in these swards is fully realised.

Seed yield and nutritive value of dry, mature subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. J. Ru ◽  
J. A. Fortune
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Zinc Content ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Wide Range

The nutritive value of 26 cultivars of dry, mature subterranean clover was evaluated at Shenton Park, Perth, Western Australia. The cultivars were divided into 3 maturity groups according to flowering time and each cultivar was sown in blocks comprising 4 replicates. The plots were grazed by sheep at 2-week intervals during the growing season. Dry mature plant material and soil were sampled in summer to examine the effect of grazing and cultivar on seed yield and nutritive value of feed residues. Cultivars heavily grazed in spring had a low herbage mass. There was no difference in seed yield and seed weight between heavily and lightly grazed cultivars. Dry matter digestibility and mineral content of dry residues was inconsistent for the 2 grazing treatments. The dry matter digestibility of dry, mature subterranean clover ranged from 40 to 56%, with a wide range of crude fibre, nitrogen and mineral content for the 26 cultivars. While most minerals in the dry residues were above the requirement for sheep, 7 cultivars had a zinc content less than the maintenance requirement for sheep. There was an imbalance for all cultivars in calcium: phosphorus with a range of 4–10: 1. Concurrent estimates on the yield and composition of seed indicated that seed can be resource of minerals for grazing animals in summer. Most cultivars had a seed yield over 100 g/m2 with that of 9 cultivars being over 130 g/m2. Seed was rich in nitrogen, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc and copper, and poor in sodium, calcium and manganese. However, there were no cultivars with an appropriate ratio of calcium and phosphorus. The imbalance in nitrogen and sulfur was a result of high nitrogen content with the ratio ranging from 19: 1 to 29: 1.

Comparing different sources of sulfur for high-rainfall pastures insouth-western Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (10) ◽  
pp. 1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
J. S. Yeates ◽  
M. F. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Residual Value ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
S Deficiency ◽  
Different Sources

The dry herbage yield increase (response) of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)-based pasture (>85% clover) to applications of different sources of sulfur (S) was compared in 7 field experiments on very sandy soils in the > 650 mm annual average rainfall areas of south-western Australia where S deficiency of clover is common when pastures grow rapidly during spring (August–November). The sources compared were single superphosphate, finely grained and coarsely grained gypsum from deposits in south-western Australia, and elemental S. All sources were broadcast (topdressed) once only onto each plot, 3 weeks after pasture emerged at the start of the first growing season. In each subsequent year, fresh fertiliser-S as single superphosphate was applied 3 weeks after pasture emerged to nil-S plots previously not treated with S since the start of the experiment. This was to determine the residual value of sources applied at the start of the experiment in each subsequent year relative to superphosphate freshly-applied in each subsequent year. In addition, superphosphate was also applied 6, 12 and 16 weeks after emergence of pasture in each year, using nil-S plots not previously treated with S since the start of the experiment. Pasture responses to applied S are usually larger after mid-August, so applying S later may match plant demand increasing the effectiveness of S for pasture production and may also reduce leaching losses of the applied S.At the same site, yield increases to applied S varied greatly, from 0 to 300%, at different harvests in the same or different years. These variations in yield responses to applied S are attributed to the net effect of mineralisation of different amounts of S from soil organic matter, dissolution of S from fertilisers, and different amounts of leaching losses of S from soil by rainfall. Within each year at each site, yield increases were mostly larger in spring (September–November) than in autumn (June–August). In the year of application, single superphosphate was equally or more effective than the other sources. In years when large responses to S occurred, applying single superphosphate later in the year was more effective than applying single superphosphate 3 weeks after pasture emerged (standard practice), so within each year the most recently applied single superphosphate treatment was the most effective S source. All sources generally had negligible residual value, so S needed to be applied each year to ensure S deficiency did not reduce pasture production.

The growth of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) in annual pasture. 3. Some factors affecting balance with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)

1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (35) ◽  
pp. 702 ◽  
Author(s):  
DF Smith
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Early Start ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Hordeum Leporinum

Mixed swards of barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) of two densities were grown at two levels of nitrogen. Growth was started at two different times mid- April and mid-May-and at each time half the plots were subjected to moisture stress. The swards were harvested after nine weeks of growth. The survival of clover plants was reduced by an early start, moisture stress and nitrogen addition : much more so than barley grass. The root : shoot ratios of both species were calculated ; both showed some sensitivity to the time of break and moisture stress, and the grass was also affected by the other two factors. Total sward production and the ratios of clover to grass varied widely Grass daminance was favoured by moisture stress or a late break, and both of these factors tended to override the effect of higher soil nitrogen in determining clover-grass balance. Total sward production more dependent on density than any other factor, especially with the later start. Higher nitrogen was effective in boosting production only if the break was early and there was no moisture stress.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document