Effects of temperature on germination, emergence and early seedling growth of swards of Mt Barker subterranean clover plants grown with and without nitrate

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Silsbury ◽  
D Zuill ◽  
PH Brown
Keyword(s):  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Early Seedling

Effects of constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30�C on the germination, emergence and early vegetative growth of Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mt Barker grown as swards were examined in temperature-controlled glasshouses and in a growth cabinet. Seedlings were established at a density of about 2000 plants m-2 and grown for up to 70 days. Plants were either inoculated and grown without mineral nitrogen (-N), or supplied with 7.5 mM NO-3 (+ N). Percentage germination and emergence were hardly affected by temperatures of 10-20�C, but at 25�C were reduced to 50%, and at 30�C to about 10%. The rates of germination and emergence were slowest at 10�C, but showed little change with temperature over the range 15-30�C. Time to closed canopy (leaf area index 3) and time to a dry weight of 133 g m-2 were shorter where plants were supplied with NO; than where mineral nitrogen was withheld and a symbiotic system established. Rates of N2-fixation, as measured by acetylene reduction assay, were not markedly affected by temperature over the range 10-25�C. Relative efficiency ranged from about 0.55 at 10, 15, and 20�C to about 0.66 at 25�C. At 30�C nodulation still occurred, but nitrogenase activity was very slight. It is concluded that, where swards of subterranean clover are grown in the absence of any mineral N, a period of N-starvation limits growth during the time taken for symbiotic N2-fixation to become established. Such retardation of growth is small at about 20�C, but becomes more marked at lower and higher temperatures. The establishment of subterranean clover swards in soils of low N status are likely to be retarded following an early (March) or a late (July) start in the growing season. In such cases a 'starter' application of mineral nitrogen may promote the early growth of the legume.

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.

Effects of Nitrate and Ammonium on Nitrogenase (C2H2 Reduction) Activity of Swards of Subterranean Clover, Trifolium subterraneum L

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Silsbury ◽  
DW Catchpoole ◽  
W Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Nitrate Reductase ◽  
Root System ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soluble Nitrogen ◽  
Split Root System

Small swards of subterranean clover plants were grown under controlled conditions without mineral nitrogen and allowed to establish an effective nitrogen fixation system. Nutrient solutions containing nitrate from 0 to 16 mM or of ammonium from 0 to 5 mM were then applied and changes in nitrogenase activity (NA) estimated by acetylene reduction assay (AR) and the rate of hydrogen evolution (HE) for periods of up to 35 days. In two experiments a split-root system was used to enable mineral nitrogen to be applied to only one-half of a nodulated root system whilst the NA of both halves was monitored. NA by subterranean clover was very sensitive to exogenous mineral nitrogen, concentrations as low as 0.5 mM NO3- suppressing activity significantly, and 3-5 mM stopping it almost completely within 7 days. The degree of inhibition induced by concentrations between 0.5 and 3 mM NO3- was less at a photon irradiance of 1000 compared with 300 �mol quanta s-1 m-2 . Under some conditions NA continued at a reduced but steady rate in the presence of nitrate. NH4+ also markedly depressed NA but a concentration greater than 5 mM was needed to effect the same response. After NO3- was applied to an active symbiosis, nitrate reductase activity increased as NA decreased. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a direct effect of NO3- on nitrogenase due to the accumulation of toxic NO2-. Although our results allow that assimilate might be diverted from the nodules after the application of NO3- thus reducing N2-fixation, an alternative hypothesis is proposed: that nitrogenase and nitrate reductase work in a complementary manner in supplying reduced nitrogen to whole plants, and NO3- depresses N2-fixation through a regulatory system involving the level of soluble nitrogen in the plant. We conclude that nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover in the field may be depressed below its potential due to the presence of soil mineral nitrogen.

Effect of pasture management on the contributions of fixed N to the N economy of ley-farming systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
R. R. Gault ◽  
G. J. Scammell ◽  
B. S. Dear ◽  
J. Virgona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Ley Farming ◽  
Ley Farming Systems

The effects of different management regimes on N2 fixation by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in annual pastures and lucerne (Medicago sativa) in perennial-based pastures were examined in 5 experiments and 55 commercial paddocks, in which the pastures were grown in phased rotation with crops. The objectives were to quantify the inputs of fixed N2 and to determine ways of increasing nitrogen (N) inputs into ley-farming systems of southern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria. Estimates of annual amounts of N2 fixed, based on above-ground herbage production in grazed pastures, ranged from 5 to 238 kg N/ha for subterranean clover and from 47 to 167 kg N/ha for lucerne. Legume reliance upon N2 fixation for growth (Pfix) was high (>65%) in most annual and perennial pastures examined. The levels of Pfix were generally unaffected by management treatments. As a consequence the amounts of N2 fixed were predominantly regulated by the legume content and herbage yield of pastures rather than by any marked differences in the ability of the legume to fix N. When all experimental results were combined with on-farm measurements of N2 fixation, the data indicated that lucerne and subterranean clover fixed 22-25 kg N for every tonne of legume dry matter produced. Management inputs to annual pastures which improved the productivity of subterranean clover and the amounts of N2 fixed included applications of superphosphate and the removal of grass species with herbicide, although the response to these treatments was not consistent across all sites in all years. Potential inputs from N2 fixation were high in annual pastures, and improved management during a good clover season enhanced the levels of mineral N detected in the soil profile (0-200 cm) the following autumn by 100-200 kg N/ha. However, year-to-year variability in annual pasture productivity and clover content resulted in large fluctuations in amounts of N2 fixed. Perennial pastures containing lucerne provided consistently greater annual herbage production, had more stable legume contents, and fixed on average 90-150% more N2 than neighbouring subterranean clover-based pastures. Even during the 1994 drought when annual pastures failed, lucerne still managed to fix >70 kg N/ha. It is proposed that lucerne-based pastures could represent a more reliable means of improving soil fertility for subsequent crops than annual pastures.

The influence of temperature and density on the growth of communities of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mount Barker)

1973 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
PS Cocks
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Influence Of Temperature ◽  
Total Dry Weight ◽  
Increasing Temperature

The influence of temperature on the growth of high and low density communities of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mount Barker) was studied at four temperatures ranging from 12�C day/7�C night to 27�C day/22�C night. The response to temperature depended on leaf area index (LAI). When the LAI was low (0.2), growth rate increased with increasing temperature to a maximum at 22� day/ 17�C night. This agreed with the temperature response of single plants of the same species previously reported. However, when the LAI was 3 the growth rate was not influenced by temperature within the range tested. At a still higher value of LAI (5.5), the response in growth became negative with increasing temperature, communities at the highest temperature growing at only half the rate of those at the lowest. The frequency distribution of plant size in the dense communities was measured, at eight times during the experiment. The distribution was influenced by both temperature and the total dry weight of the community. At low temperature it was approximately symmetrical, but at high temperature it rapidly became asymmetric as total dry weight increased, the amount of skewness being greatest at the highest temperature and dry weight. Plant death was greatest at the high temperature. The communities were divided into five equally populated groups of ascending plant size. At high temperature the largest plants increased in size throughout the experiment, but each of the groups of smaller plants reached a maximum size, subsequently losing weight. At lower temperatures only the groups of smaller size lost weight, the number of groups losing weight depending on temperature. The distribution data were used to try to explain the interaction between temperature and LAI. It was proposed that community growth rate was best when canopy cover was complete and the distribution of plant weight was not strongly skewed.

The influence of seed size and depth of sowing on pre-emergence and early vegetative growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Total Leaf Area ◽  
Pot Culture

Changes in the pre-emergence distribution of dry matter in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) variety Bacchus Marsh were followed at 21°C, using three sizes of seed and three depths of sowing, ½, 1¼, and 2 in. Decreasing seed size and increasing depth of sowing both reduce the weight of the cotyledons a t emergence. Seed of the three sizes were sown a t three depths in pot culture a t staggered intervals so that emergence was simultaneous. Dry weight in the early vegetative stage was proportional to seed size, and total leaf area and leaf numbers showed similar trends. Plants of each seed size grew at the same relative rate. No effect of depth of sowing could be detected, and this was shown to be due to the cotyledon area a t emergence being constant for any given seed size, regardless of varying depth of sowing and hence of cotyledon weight. It was concluded that seed size in a plant having epigeal germination and without endosperm is of importance: firstly, in limiting the maximum hypocotyl elongation and hence depth of sowing, and secondly, in determining cotyledon area. Cotyledon area in turn influences seedling growth, which is not affected by cotyledon weight. Once emergence has taken place, cotyledonary reserves are of no further significance in the growth of the plants.

Defoliation as a factor in the growth of varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L) when grown in pure and mixed swards

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Light Energy ◽  
Weight Changes ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Large Seed ◽  
Waite Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
High Yielding Varieties

This paper describes two experiments analysing the recovery from defoliation of subterranean clover varieties grown in swards in large seed boxes at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, Adelaide. The first experiment examined the way in which the six common commercial varieties recovered from a single severe defoliation, and showed that under these conditions they can be placed in three groups: Yarloop and Clare are tall, high-yielding varieties with few, large leaves, recovering slowly from defoliation; Tallarook and Dwalganup are prostrate varieties, lower-yielding, with many small leaves, recovering rapidly after defoliation; Bacchus Marsh and Mount Barker are intermediate in all respects. In the second experiment mixed swards of equal numbers of Yarloop and Tallarook plants were grown under three treatments: A, no defoliation; B, defoliated twice at a height which removed the higher Yarloop canopy but left the lower Tallarook plants untouched; C, defoliated twice at a height which removed the canopies of both varieties. Measurement of dry weight on four occasions after each defoliation showed that in the undefoliated treatment, all Tallarook plants died by the end of the experiment. In the defoliated treatments, the removal of the Yarloop canopy resulted in only a temporary improvement in the illuniination in which the Tallarook plants grew, and their dry weight and plant numbers progressively declined. Dry weight changes in the Tallarook component were shown to be dependent on the light energy available to it, which was in turn determined by the light-absorbing capacity of the superior Yarloop canopy. In mixed swards, the ability of Yarloop to re-establish quickly a leaf canopy above that of Tallarook appeared to explain its success when defoliated.

The significance of petiole length, leaf area, and light interception in competition between strains of subterrranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) grown in swards

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Petiole Length ◽  
Petiole Elongation ◽  
Light Profiles

Three strains of subterranean clover differing in leaf development were grown in pure swards and in all combinations in mixtures. The strain Yarloop has relatively few large leaves held on long petioles; Tallarook has many small leaves and short petioles; Bacchus Marsh is intermediate in all these respects. The swards were grown in boxes and were sampled on four occasions during the period of vegetative growth. Leaf area in each 2 cm layer of the sward was determined separately, and for both strains in the mixed swards, and measurements of the light intensity reaching each layer were obtained. Root weights were determined for all swards and separately for each component of the mixed swards. Examination of the dry weights showed that the growth of the strain having the lesser petiole elongation was suppressed. In the extreme instance Tallarook was so suppressed when grown with Yarloop that in the final inter-sampling period it grew completely in the dark, and lost about half its dry weight. Bacchus Marsh also suppressed Tallarook, but to a lesser extent, while Bacchus Marsh was itself suppressed in competition with Yarloop. The amount of light energy intercepted by the two components of the mixed swards was calculated from the leaf area and light profiles, and confirmed the importance of the spatial distribution of leaves in plant competition. It was concluded that, in the absence of defoliation, the success of a strain under competition was associated with its potential petiole elongation.

Subterranean clover mottle virus infection of subterranean clover: widespread occurrence in pastures and effects on productivity

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1597 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Wroth ◽  
RAC Jones
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Seed Transmission ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Transmission Rates ◽  
Type Isolate ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
South West

In 1989 and 1990, infection with subterranean clover mottle sobemovirus (SCMV) was widespread in subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) pastures in the south-west of Western Australia. The virus was detected in 61% of the pastures sampled and incidences of infection ranged from 1 to 50%. The virus was more common in old pastures than in pastures resown with newer cultivars during the preceeding 5 year period. When 12 isolates of SCMV were inoculated to subterranean clover plants grown in the glasshouse, symptoms varied from mild to severe. SCMV isolates P23 and F4 decreased the herbage dry weight of cw. Daliak and Woogenellup grown in plots as spaced plants by 81-88% while the Type isolate caused losses of 92%. By contrast, losses were 37-49% with cv. Karridale, a cultivar in which systemic infection was either delayed or prevented during winter. Infection decreased seed yield by c. 90% in cvv. Karridale and Woogenellup with all three isolates; seed weight was decreased 21-55%. A small proportion of cv. Woogenellup transplants outgrew the infection in new shoots during late spring to produce abundant healthy foliage. SCMV seed transmission rates in seed collected from infected transplants of cv. Woogenellup were 0.06, 0.07 and 0.43% for the Type, P23 and F4 isolates respectively. It was concluded that SCMV was present in most pastures, but at low incidences, and that it persists in them from year to year. Extended growing seasons and hard grazing are likely to increase its incidence.

Copper nutrition of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Seaton Park). I. Effects of copper supply on growth and development

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Reuter ◽  
AD Robson ◽  
JF Loneragan ◽  
DJ Tranthim-Fryer
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Copper Deficiency ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Internode Elongation ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Lateral Branches

Effects of severe and moderate copper deficiency on the development of leaves and lateral branches, on the distribution of dry weight within the plant, and on seed yield of Seaton Park subterranean clover were assessed as part of three glasshouse experiments. Copper deficiency markedly depressed top and root growth without producing any distinctive symptoms. It retarded phasic development by delaying development of leaves and lateral branches, senescence of plant parts, and flowering: it also depressed the proportion of stem plus petiole in plant tops and decreased internode elongation, pollen fertility and the number of burrs and seeds formed. As a result of its effect in delaying flowering, copper deficiency would depress seed production particularly strongly when low soil water supply shortens the growing season. The need for suitable procedures for diagnosing copper deficiency is emphasized by the lack of specific plant symptoms in this species.

The role of allelopathy in legume decline in pastures. I. Effects of pasture and crop residues on germination and survival of subterranean clover in the field and nursery

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Leigh ◽  
DM Halsall ◽  
MD Holgate
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Essential Requirement ◽  
Early Seedling ◽  
Good Germination

In a series of five trials, three conducted in the field and two in seed-flats in the nursery, it was shown that mulched residues from Phalaris aquatica and Triticum aestivum reduced the germination and production of Trifolium subterraneum. The deleterious effects observed with the mulched residues were not evident when the residues were incorporated into the upper soil layer. It is suggested that a reduction of the residues in pastures before the opening rains in autumn would be an essential requirement to ensure good germination and early seedling vigour from the annual legume component in mixed legume/grass pastures, especially those based on P. aquatica.

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