Effect of timing of forage conservation on forage yield and quality, seed yield and seedling regeneration of four subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
B. F. Hackney ◽  
G. M. Dyce ◽  
C. A. Rodham
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Seedling Regeneration ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Forage Yields

Swards of four cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were cut at three different times to determine the effect on forage yield and quality, seed set and seedling regeneration in two successive seasons in southern New South Wales. The four cultivars of subterranean clover (Seaton Park LF, Junee, Goulburn and Clare) were cut on 23–25 September (early cut), 8–10 October (mid cut) or 22–23 October (late cut), to simulate an early silage, late silage or hay cut. Additional treatments imposed included either grazing or leaving the regrowth after cutting and raising the cutting height from 3 to 6 cm. Forage yields ranged from 3.5 to 9.3 t dry matter (DM)/ha in the first year and from 2.0 to 5.9 t DM/ha in the second year. Herbage yield was influenced by both cultivar and harvest time with the highest yields achieved with the mid cut. Lower forage yields at the later cut were attributed to losses due to respiration and decay under dense leaf canopies. Changes in forage quality were consistent across both years, with in vivo DM digestibility declining from 76–79% to 69–70% as cutting time was delayed. Crude protein fell from 22–24% to 14–17% over the same period, depending on cultivar. Seed yields in both years were influenced by both cutting time and cultivar with a positive relationship (R2 = 0.45–0.61) between herbage present in late spring after a period of regrowth and subsequent seed yield. The early flowering cultivar Seaton Park LF had the highest seed yield in both years and the more erect cultivar Clare had the lowest. Seed yields declined with later cutting time but increased by an average of 39% when the cutting height was raised from 3 to 6 cm. Seedling regeneration reflected seed yield responses with the largest seedling regeneration occurring in treatments cut early. The study found that forage conservation in early October is likely to yield more and be of higher quality than swards cut later in the season. Seed set is greatly reduced by all cutting strategies to levels unprofitable for seed harvesting but may be adequate for pasture regeneration.

The effect of boron supply on the growth and seed production of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1987 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
J Lipsett
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Foliar Symptoms ◽  
Buried Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

There has been little research on the boron (B) status of subterranean clover, despite strong indications of deficiency of B in southern Australia where clover decline has been reported. This paper describes glasshouse experiments to vary the level of B supply to clover grown on soils low in B. On a soil farmed in a cereal clover rotation, herbage yields of clover increased by 25% with applied B, but seed yields, negligible without B, increased 21-fold. On two other acid soils, from pastures, there were also large responses to B in seed yield (1.5- and 5.1-fold respectively); liming increased the responses (8- and 55.2-fold). However, herbage production was less responsive to B (25% and 1.7-fold with liming); on the unlimed soils, application of B depressed yield (- 1 and -21%). This is attributed to there being enough B to sustain herbage growth, but inadequate for seed formation. These results show that herbage yield, conventionally employed in the past, is not a satisfactory index of B status for total performance in subterranean clover. The response to B in seed yield was associated with increases in: numbers of seed set (75% to 22.6-fold, depending on the particular combination of soil and liming); size of seed (10% to 1.2-fold); proportion of buried seed (20%-70%). It is suggested that these favour establishment and persistence of clover and that clover decline may well involve deficiency of B. It was shown that concentration of B in the plant does not necessarily relate predictably to yield of herbage and that reduction in seed yield may not be heralded by foliar symptoms, since seed requirement exceeds that of herbage.

Effect of companion perennial grasses and lucerne on seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover in two wheatbelt environments

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 973 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
B. A. Orchard
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Seedling Regeneration ◽  
Early Autumn ◽  
Background Population ◽  
Seed Reserves ◽  
Clover Seed

Seed production of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in mixtures with lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula (Schrader) Nees cv. Consol), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Currie), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirolan), danthonia (Austrodanthonia richardsonii (Cashm.) H.P. Linder, cv. Taranna), and lucerne (Medicago sativa L. cv. Aquarius) was compared with pure and degraded (invaded by annual volunteers) annual subterranean clover pasture at 2 sites (Junee and Kamarah) in the southern wheatbelt of New South Wales. Seed yields, clover seedlings in winter, and the change in the proportion of 3 subterranean clover cultivars (Dalkeith, Seaton Park, Goulburn) when grown with and without perennials were assessed. The effect of thinning the perennials to 10 plants/m2 on clover seed set was examined at the drier site. Seed production of subterranean clover in the mixtures was depressed by up to 50% compared with the pure and degraded annual swards. Initial clover seed poduction in the mixtures was at least 60 kg/ha even in the drought year at the wetter site (Junee), and >85 kg/ha at Kamarah, the drier site (seedling establishment at Kamarah failed in the drought year). Clover seed reserves in the following 2 years progressively increased to >300 kg/ha in the perennial swards at Junee but were <100 kg/ha by the end of the third year at Kamarah. In comparison, seed reserves in the pure clover and degraded annual swards were >650 kg/ha at Junee and >350 kg/ha at Kamarah. Reducing perennial density to 10 plants/m2 at the drier site increased clover seed yield about 3-fold in the first year compared with unthinned perennial swards. The increased seed yield was due to increased numbers of burrs set and increased seeds per burr and, in all perennial pasture treatments except lucerne, increased seed size. Clover seedling regeneration in 3rd and 4th year after sowing was substantially lower in the perennial-based mixtures than annual plots, with a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation at both sites between clover seedling regeneration and seed bank size (1996, r2 = 0.46–0.64; 1997, r2 = 0.64–0.85). Following false breaks in early autumn, clover seedling populations were substantially higher in the pure and degraded clover treatments than in most perennial treatments. The proportion of the 3 cultivars present in the seed bank at the end of the pasture phase differed between sites but the sward type only influenced the proportion at the drier site. At the medium rainfall site, the later maturing cultivar Goulburn constituted 27–54% of the seed bank and the early flowering Dalkeith 25–46%, with unsown cultivars being insignificant ( <1%). At the low rainfall site, Dalkeith was the major component (33–52%) of the seed bank but the background population of unsown cultivars constituted 11–48%, the lowest proportion being in swards without a perennial component. The proportion of Goulburn was highest (23%) in the pure sward and lowest (10%) in lucerne and phalaris. It was concluded that subterranean clover could form relatively stable mixtures with perennials in medium rainfall environments, with clover populations increasing with time. In lower rainfall environments, clover seedling populations in perennial swards may be low due to reduced seed set and decreased seedling survival following early autumn rains. In these environments earlier maturing, hard-seeded cultivars are more likely to persist in mixtures and there is more potential for unsown cultivars to constitute a greater proportion of the sward. Decreasing perennial density offers scope for improving clover seed set and survival in these environments.

Increased seed production of subterranean clover pastures in response to fertilizers supplying calcium

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Ozanne ◽  
KMW Howes
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Gypsum Plaster ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

The effects of four common fertilizers containing calcium on seed production in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were measured at six locations over five years in a total of fifteen field experiments. Calcium as a sulphate, carbonate or phosphate salt was applied to subterranean clover pastures either at the start of the growing season (autumn) or at flowering (spring). Gypsum, plaster of Paris, or lime gave large increases in seed yield per unit area and also per unit weight of tops. Spring applications of superphosphate increased seed yields in only two out of four experiments. Gypsum applied in spring at 200-500 kg ha-1 was as effective as 2,000 kg ha-1 of lime applied in autumn. Applications of lime in spring were much less effective. Increased seed yields were due to increases in burr yield, seed number per burr, and mean weight per seed. They were usually accompanied by increases in calcium concentration in the seed. Responses in seed production to calcium applications were obtained in all three sub-species of Trifolium subterraneum. In two experiments, newly sown on a soil type on which subterranean clover regeneration and persistence is commonly very poor, applied calcium doubled or quadrupled seed set. In 13 experiments using soils on which subterranean clover had persisted as the major component of the pasture for several years, calcium in the year of application increased the total seed bank by 6 to 31 per cent, and the current seed set by a greater amount.

Seed production and persistence of Carnamah and other early strains of Trifolium subterraneum in the wheatbelt of Western Australia

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
RC Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Early Flowering ◽  
The Other ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Seed Yields

Seed production and persistence of the Carnamah, Northam A, Dwalganup, and Geraldton strains of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were examined in undefoliated swards in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. The early flowering characteristic of Carnamah was not always associated with higher seed yields. Only when there was a well-defined, early finish to the growing season, or when flowering was very much earlier in Carnamah (viz., following an early 'break' to the season), did this strain clearly outyield both Northam A and Geraldton. The seed yield of Dwalganup was generally inferior to that of the other strains. Factors affecting regeneration are discussed. Under low rainfall conditions, poorer germination-regulation of Carnamah, compared with Geraldton and Northam A, would be expected to result in poorer persistence unless offset by higher seed yields in the Carnamah strain.

The evaluation of dual-purpose groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) varieties for fodder and seed production at Shika, Nigeria

2001 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. OMOKANYE ◽  
O. S. ONIFADE ◽  
P. E. OLORUNJU ◽  
A. M. ADAMU ◽  
R. J. TANKO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Forage Yields

At Shika in a subhumid environment of Nigeria, a 3-year study was carried out to select newly developed groundnut varieties for use in crop–livestock production systems. The study examined 11 groundnut varieties. Emergence time, plant stands at full emergence, forage and seed yields and yield components were examined. Whole plant samples were analysed for crude protein (CP) content. Varieties ICGV 87123 gave the lowest forage yield and cultivar M517-80I, the highest, with seven varieties recording forage yields above 5 t/ha. The CP content of forage was lowest (14·8%) for variety M576-80I and highest (21·6%) for variety M554-76. Mean seed yield (over 3 years) varied significantly from 0·73 to 1·68 t/ha. Only two varieties had mean seed yield >1 t/ha. The relationship between seed and forage yields was positive and significant (r = 0·529, P < 0·006). Varieties RMP 12, 88-80I and M517–80 were most promising for both forage and seed production.

scholarly journals The influence of patterns of flowering of some subterranean clover (Trifolium subterruneum L.) accessions and cultivars on total seed set and autumn germination in a cool temperate environment with sporadic summer rain

1994 ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
M.L. Smetham ◽  
D.W. Jack ◽  
Sandy E.H. Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Late Flowering ◽  
Cool Temperate ◽  
Stony Soil ◽  
Temperate Environment ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Summer Rain

Fifteen accessions and 3 cultivars of subterranean exnected for this site. It is concluded that lateclover (Trifolium subterranean L.) were sown in autumn in shallow stony soil south of Christchurch, New Zealand. The following growing season was atypical, with drought occurring briefly but one month earlier than usual, the rest of the season being wetter than usual. Contrary to previous results highest seed yields were given by mid- to lateseason flowering lines. Early flowering lines were severely disadvantaged by the early drought, resulting in seed yields of only 20-25 kg/ha. High seed yields were linked with the ability of lines to recommence flowering after drought and continue this for a prolonged period. Two late flowering accessions, 014454B and 014205B, yielded more than 200 kg/ha seed, outyielding the late flowering cv. Tallarook in spite of this cultivar having the same ability as the other two to reflower. Six highseed yielding lines gave naturally regenerated seedling numbers near to or exceeding 1000/m2. Apparent hardseededness at the time of autumn germination averaged 49% which was lower than expected for this site. It is concluded that late fldwering lines of subterranean clover should always be included in mixtures of this species for pasture to ensure adequate regeneration in wetter than normal seasons. Keywords: accessions, cultivars, flowering, hardseededness, regeneration, seed production, Trifolium subterraneum

Differential tolerance of Trifolium subterraneum L. (subterranean clover) cultivars to broadleaf herbicides. 2. Seed yield and quality

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
GA Sandral ◽  
BS Dear ◽  
NE Coombes
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Herbicide Treatment ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Saving Effect ◽  
Seed Yields

The effect of broadleaf herbicides on seed set by Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) cultivars was examined at 2 sites (Wagga Wagga and Canowindra) over 2 years. Five commonly used herbicide treatments (bromoxynil, MCPA, 2,4-DB, MCPA + terbutryn, MCPA + diuron) were applied at 2 rates to 7 cultivars of subterranean clover. Significant site x cultivar x herbicide interactions were observed. Seed yields were either unaffected or depressed by up to 66% at the higher rainfall site (Canowindra), whereas at the lower rainfall site (Wagga Wagga) some herbicide x cultivar combinations showed increases in seed yield up to 115%. The increase in seed yield was greater at the lower herbicide rate. The variation in seed yield with herbicide treatment was largely a result of a change (P<0.001) in the number of seeds set (R = 0.94 at Wagga Wagga; R = 0.85 at Canowindra). Seed size was also correlated (P<0.001) with seed yield at both sites but explained less of the variation (R = 0.23 at Wagga Wagga; R = 0.47 at Canowindra). The reduction in herbage yield as a result of herbicide application was a poor indicator of the subsequent seed yield response at both sites. Cultivar Trikkala was consistently most tolerant to the herbicide treatments, showing either no change in seed yield at the wetter site or large increases in seed yield at the lower rainfall site. In contrast, the seed yield of Dalkeith was depressed by 2,4-DB at both sites in both years by 39-66%. Increases in seed yield, which were most pronounced in cultivars of midseason maturity (Trikkala, Junee, Seaton Park) and least in later maturing cultivars (Karridale, Clare) and in the very early flowering Dalkeith, were attributed in part to a water-saving effect of the herbicide treatments. Cultivar maturity ranking was negatively correlated (P<0.001) with seed yield (R=-0.73 at Wagga Wagga; R=-0.45 at Canowindra). The germination percentage of seed produced by the cultivars was unaffected by herbicide treatment, although the number of abnormal radicles formed by germinating seed was higher in the 2,4-DB and MCPA treatments.

Influence of cultivar and season on the response of Trifolium subterraneum to simazine

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
DJ Conlan ◽  
MF Richards ◽  
NE Coombes
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Lolium Rigidum ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

The tolerance of 6 cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) to simazine applied at 0.63 and 1.25 kg a.i./ha was determined under weedfree conditions in the field by measuring herbage and seed yields. Large herbage yield losses occurred as a result of the simazine in spring in the 2 years of the experiments. In 1989, spring herbage yield losses of the cultivars at the 0.63 and 1.25 kg/ha simazine rates averaged 56 and 82%, respectively. In 1990 the spring herbage yield losses were 27 and 51%. Significant variation in tolerance was observed between cultivars in both years, with Trikkala being the most tolerant and Karridale the most susceptible cultivar. Rate of herbicide had the greatest effect on herbage yield, with cultivar having a smaller effect. In 1989, with relatively favourable spring conditions, clover seed yields were depressed by simazine, but in 1990 when drier conditions prevailed during flowering and seed set, seed yields were unaffected or slightly increased by simazine in all cultivars except the early-flowering cultivar Dalkeith. Seed yields of simazine-treated swards were 196-1480 kg/ha in 1989 and 359-686 kg/ha in 1990. The seed yield response in 1990 suggests that herbicides which retard growth in winter help to conserve soil water and, therefore, may benefit seed filling later in the season. The presence of Lolium rigidum at spraying did not reduce the effect of the herbicide on clover herbage yield and had no effect on seed set. Although simazine may reduce herbage yields and, in some cases, seed yields, its use may be justified for the control of annual grasses when other factors such as disease control, pasture quality, and level of weed competition are considered.

The effect of defoliation on inflorescence production, seed yield and hard-seededness in swards of subterranean clover

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 789
Author(s):  
WJ Collins
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
No Reduction ◽  
Initial Level ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Beginning Of Flowering ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Seed Yields

Swards of three strains of subterranean clover (Seaton Park, Yarloop, Midland B) were subjected to a range of defoliation treatments. In all strains, cutting at weekly intervals at a height of 1.5–2 cm from 1 month after sowing until the onset of flowering led to a slight delay in flower initiation but the time of flowering was little affected. The rate of inflorescence production, however, was always increased, as was the total number of inflorescences produced by the end of flowering. In particular, seed yields were increased by at least 30% compared with uncut controls. This effect was attributable partly to increased inflorescence numbers and partly to increases in other yield components as a consequence of the burial of a large proportion of burrs. Cutting increased the initial level of hard-seededness in Seaton Park and Yarloop; in addition the rate of breakdown of hard-seededness in all strains was slower in seed from the defoliated swards. When cutting was continued until midway through flowering (with the cutting height progressively raised) the seed yield in Yarloop and especially in Midland B was much lower than that obtained when cutting was stopped at the beginning of flowering; but in Seaton Park there was no reduction. With further cutting-until the end of flowering-seed yields were less than when cutting was stopped midway through flowering. Extending cutting into the flowering period (compared with cutting only until the onset of flowering) resulted in a decline in the initial level of hard-seededness and an increase in the rate of breakdown of hard-seededness in Midland B but had little effect in Yarloop or Seaton Park.

The phytotoxicity of the herbicides bromoxynil, pyridate, imazethapyr and a bromoxynil + diflufenican mixture on subterranean clover and lucerne seedlings

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 839 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
High Level

Summary. The effect of the herbicides pyridate, imazethapyr and a bromoxynil + diflufenican mixture on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) (cvv. Trikkala and Karridale) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) (cv. Aurora) seedlings was examined in randomised plot field experiments in 2 successive years. Responses were compared against an unsprayed control and a standard bromoxynil application. The herbicides and the rates of product applied were: bromoxynil + diflufenican (0.5, 1.0 L/ha), imazethapyr (0.18, 0.3 L/ha), pyridate (1.0, 3.0 L/ha), and bromoxynil (1.4 L/ha). Weeds were removed by hand from the subterranean clover experiments but not the lucerne experiments. Pyridate and imazethapyr were the least phytotoxic of the herbicides applied on both subterranean clover and lucerne. The bromoxynil + diflufenican mixture was the most phytotoxic, causing severe leaf burn and a depression in herbage biomass in both species. Despite the high level of phytotoxicity by some treatments, none of the herbicides reduced lucerne seedling numbers. Lucerne herbage yields in late spring were higher in most sprayed plots compared with the unsprayed control due to the removal of weed competition. Seed yield responses in subterranean clover due to herbicide application ranged from negative responses up to –21% with pyridate to positive responses up to 92% with the bromoxynil + diflufenican treatment relative to the weed-free, unsprayed control. The positive responses were attributed to increased availability of soil water during seed set in treatments in which herbicides suppressed legume biomass. There was a good correlation in both 1992 (R2 = 0.85–0.89) and 1993 (R2 = 0.63–0.73) between the depression in herbage yield in spring and the increase in seed set relative to the control. Soil water under the subterranean clover cultivar Karridale in spring was highest in the bromoxynil and imazethapyr treatments, which produced a large reduction in biomass, and lowest in the control and pyridate treatments, which had showed the least depression in biomass 60 days after treatment application. Although some herbicides cause a high level of phytotoxicity, their use in weedy subterranean clover–lucerne mixtures is justified in view of the small negative, and potentially large positive, effects on subterranean clover seed yield and the increased lucerne yields later in the season due to weed suppression.

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