Sward growth of monocultures and binary mixtures of phalaris, lucerne, white clover and subterranean clover under two defoliation regimes

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation

Sirosa phalaris, WL5 15 lucerne, Haifa white clover and Seaton Park subterranean clover were grown in monocultures and binary mixtures on a cracking clay soil and cut at 4- and 8-week intervals over 3 growing seasons at Scone, New South Wales (32�S.). The plots were given supplementary irrigation between mid April and November to prevent water deficits. The deep-rooted perennials dominated mixtures under infrequent cutting, with cumulative dry matter yields for the growing season reaching 11 t/ha for lucerne-based mixtures. Frequent defoliation increased the contribution of the clovers in mixtures, and mixtures and monocultures containing clovers were more productive than other plots in winter, 1986. Frequent defoliation reduced the vigour and density of lucerne, resulting in balanced mixtures with phalaris and subterranean clover in the third year. Only lucerne plots contributed large amounts of dry matter yield (up to 4 t/ha) between December and April. Regeneration of subterranean clover from seedlings, and white clover from seedlings or stolons, was better in clover-only plots than in mixtures with phalaris. The growth of mixtures in response to mean daily air temperature in spring could be divided into 2 distinct patterns, with growth peaking at about 15�C for determinate (annual or dormant) mixtures, and at about 18�C for lucerne mixtures and pure white clover. In autumn, growth patterns were determined by the method of regeneration (i.e. by seedings or dormant crowns).

Survey of the productivity, composition and estimated inputs of fixed nitrogen by pastures in central-western New South Wales

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
W. Smith ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
J. Brockwell
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales

Total productivity and legume nitrogen fixation (N2 fixation) in dryland pastures were examined in a 2 year study (1999–2001) on 118 farms in central-western New South Wales. Pasture exclosure cages, placed at 217 on-farm sites, were harvested on 7 occasions and the foliage hand-sorted according to species in order to measure shoot dry matter (DM). The separated legume shoot material collected in spring 1999 (52 different legume samples) and 2000 (76 different legume samples) from a subset of representative pastures (41 cages on 28 different farms in 1999, 32 cages on 25 different farms in 2000) was also analysed for concentration of nitrogen (%N) and 15N natural abundance. These data were subsequently used to calculate the proportion of the legume shoot N derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa), comparative measures of the relative efficiency of N2 fixation (kg N fixed/t DM accumulated) and the amounts of shoot N fixed (kg N/ha). The survey encompassed 8 common pasture types, and 5 others that were less common, ranging from native perennial grass pastures with little legume content to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pastures with and without companion clovers. Fifteen legume species were found in the pastures, some only occasionally. Lucerne and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were the only perennials. Mean spring estimates of %Ndfa were similar in 1999 and 2000 for lucerne (72 and 81%, respectively), rose clover (T. hirtum All., 82 and 77%) and annual medics (Medicago spp., 89 and 86%). For the remaining 12 legume species, measures of %Ndfa ranged from 64 to 95% and averaged 83%. Shoot %N contents were greater for lucerne than for the other 14 legumes and this was reflected in the comparative measures of N2 fixation which ranged from 14.5 kg N/t DM for rose clover to 25.7 kg N/t DM for lucerne in 2000. The most productive pasture type comprised lucerne plus balansa clover [T. michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.], white clover or arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi), but all pasture types that contained lucerne were highly productive. Spring was the most productive season and summer the least. Lucerne was overwhelmingly the most productive legume and was responsible for >83% of the fixed N in those pastures that contained both lucerne and other legumes. Lucerne productivity was approximately uniform throughout the year whereas, for other pastures, especially those based on rose clover or subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.), there were sharp peaks in spring and little or no dry matter production over summer. The presence of lucerne in pastures significantly (P<0.05) reduced broadleaf weeds. It was concluded that, where there are requirements in central-western New South Wales agriculture for uniform forage production throughout the year and a high input of fixed N, lucerne is substantially superior to other species.

Evaluation of legumes for use in short-term leys and natural pastures on the northern slopes of New South Wales

1981 ◽  
Vol 21 (112) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Archer
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Good Potential

A range of temperate legumes was evaluated for winter and spring production for use as either short-term ley pastures, or, when sown from the air, as introduced species into natural pastures on the higher northern slopes of New South Wales. The species were evaluated with and without the annual application of a compound phosphorus and sulfur fertilizer in four experiments from 1975 to 1978. Haifa white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Haifa) was generally the most productive and persistent species with dry matter production in winter and spring ranging from 21 30 to 3600 kg/ha when sown into prepared seedbeds. In natural pastures with applied fertilizer, yields of Haifa ranged from 100 kg/ha in a dry year to 5000 kg/ha. Other persistent species in both ley and natural pastures were Namoi woolly pod vetch (Vicia dasycarpa cv. Namoi) (1110-3520 kg/ha and 470-3350 kg/ha, respectively) and Hunter River lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River) (1290-2500 kg/ha and 480-2350 kg/ha, respectively). These were the only species to establish themselves satisfactorily in the natural pastures. Other species that showed good potential for ley pastures were Hamua red clover (T. pratense cv. Grasslands Hamua), Clare subterranean clover (T. subterraneum cv. Clare) and Kondinin rose clover (T. hirtum cv. Kondinin), but further evaluation of these legumes is required. The barrel medics were productive in their establishment year averaging 2560 kg/ha dry matter but mean yields in subsequent years were less than 100 kg/ha due to poor regeneration. The natural pastures needed fertilizer to ensure adequate levels of production from the sown legumes. In the ley pastures, a response occurred only in the second year of one experiment. The natural species did not respond to fertilizer. It is concluded that Haifa white clover, woolly pod vetch and lucerne offer significant potential for use in both ley and natural pastures on the north-western slopes

Performance of temperate legumes and associated grasses on granitic soils of low fertility in the New England region of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Thompson
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

A range of temperate annual and perennial legumes, naturalized or commonly sown in the area, was examined at three field sites in low fertility soils derived from granite on the south western slopes of the New England Region, New South Wales. They were compared over a four year period in terms of their persistence, dry matter and nitrogen production and their compatibility with associated temperate perennial grasses, The response of sown grass to nitrogen fertilizer application was also examined in the absence of legume. Ten legumes were examined at one site and six of these at the other two sites. In general, nitrogen yields were ranked similarly to total dry matter yields of all treatments, including grasses in the absence of legume. However, the legumes were ranked differently in terms of productivity of the legume component and productivity of associated grass. At all sites lucerne gave the highest yields of total dry matter and of legume and the lowest yield and persistence of associated grass-comparable to grass growing in the absence of legume or applied nitrogen. Subterranean clover was ranked second or third in total dry matter yield, depending on site, but provided the highest yield of associated grasscomparable to grass receiving high levels of applied nitrogen. Under this legume soil nitrogen levels tended to be highest. Rose clover, sown at one site only, yielded more legume dry matter than subterranean clover but grass yield was comparable to that with lucerne. The results suggest that subterranean clover is the superior legume for successful mixed sowings although inclusion of white clover could be justified. Lucerne appears to be best sown as a pure sward.

Dry matter production from irrigated winter forage crops in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Michalk ◽  
PA Witschi
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Potential Production ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Consequent Reduction

Between 1962 and 1964, 4 experiments were conducted at Leeton, New South Wales, Australia to examine the potential productivity of a range of irrigated winter forage crops in providing useful feed during the period of shortage in late autumn and early winter. In addition, the effects of sowing rate were examined for sowings using (a) prepared seedbeds or (b) sod-seeding into existing subterranean clover/Lolium rigidum cv. Wimmera pastures. DM yields at 74, 109, 144 or 173 days from sowing were compared with a subterranean clover/ryegrass control. Of the spp. evaluated the cereals were the most consistent both for initial production and subsequent regrowth. For the cruciferous spp. early cutting (100 days after sowing) proved detrimental to subsequent production, reducing the contribution of the sown spp. to 3% DM. Although the low proportion of the leguminous forages limited their potential production, they increased pasture quality relative to the clover/ryegrass control. DM production of wheat and rape increased with increasing sowing rate on (a) but for turnips there was a yield decline with increased sowing rate. Oats showed no response to sowing rate on (a), but increasing the sowing rate on (b) plots increased the proportion of oats in the pasture, although there was a consequent reduction in total yield. Increases in the contribution made by wheat to total yield as a result of increased sowing on (b) plots were small.

Grass-white clover relationships during pasture development. 1. Effect of superphosphate

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Wolfe ◽  
A Lazenby
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Clover Content

The effects of superphosphate (0, 42, 125, and 375 kg ha-1 year-1), grass species (tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and phalaris) and grass seeding rate (0, 1.1, 4.5, and 17.9 kg ha-1) on the productivity and botanical composition of grass-white clover pastures were investigated from 1967 to 1970 on a previously unfertilized site at Armidale, New South Wales. In all years, total pasture yields were increased by each additional increment of superphosphate applied. During the establishment year, the addition of 375 kg ha-1 superphosphate increased clover dry matter yield by more than 3500 kg ha-1, whereas grass production was low (< 1500 kg ha-1) on all treatments. Thereafter, the increases in grass yields at each level of superphosphate were the equal of, or exceeded, the clover responses, which were mainly linear throughout the experiment. Neither grass seeding rate nor grass species had a major effect on total pasture productivity. Their effects on the relative yields of the grass and clover components were most evident at the highest rate of superphosphate. At SP0, grass and clover percentages declined from 1967 to 1970 and at SP125 the proportions of grass, clover and weeds were about equal in all years. At SP375, the strong overall trend from clover-dominance in 1967 to grass-dominance in 1970 was most rapid in treatments sown with 4.5 or 17.9 kg ha-1 grass and least rapid in phalaris-white clover pastures. In 1969 and 1970, when most pastures at SP375, had reached the grass-dominant stage of their development, within-year fluctuations in grass and clover content were least in the fescue-white clover pastures.

Productivity of pasture legumes and chicory in central New South Wales

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
M. Goodacre
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
South Wales

Seven experiments were established across a range of environments (latitude 33°S) in central New South Wales to evaluate 52 legume cultivars and lines against currently recommended cultivars. Plots were grazed by either sheep or cattle after each harvest. Criteria for inclusion were that lines were either commercially available or in the process of being registered. Three experiments also included chicory. Sites had from 600 to 900 mm annual rainfall and were at altitudes of 440–1000 m. The 4-year program included the dry summer of 1990–91. White clover and subterranean clover were the most productive species over time. Among subterranean clovers, the subspecies subterraneum cultivars were more productive than the yanninicum or brachycalycinum subspecies. Other species such as balansa, Persian, strawberry, red and crimson clovers, lotus major and murex medic were more variable in production. These legumes often grew well in the establishment year, but failed to persist. Lucerne was in general, not as productive as white or subterranean clover. Caucasian clover and yellow serradella should be evaluated further as conclusive judgements could not be formed. Chicory was often the most productive species in the experiments, especially over the warmer 6 months of the year. It persisted under a 6-week harvest regime and during the drought year. The newer subterranean clover cultivars, Leura, Goulburn and Denmark all exceeded the production from the previously recommended cultivars, Woogenellup and Karridale, even though no major disease was evident in the later group. The lines 89820D and 89841E were sufficiently productive to warrant further evaluation and possible development as cultivars. In contrast, while Huia, Tahora, Bonadino and Tamar were often as productive as the recommended white clover cultivar Haifa, they were not consistently better. Where summer rainfall occurs and the annual rainfall exceeds 650 mm, the greater potential yield of white clover compared with subterranean clover justifies its use. However, no white clover cultivars survived the summer drought in 1990–91 as intact plants. Further work is needed to develop more drought-tolerant cultivars.

Clover root-nodule bacteria in the New England region on NSW.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Baird
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Mixed Inoculum ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Clover Root ◽  
Unsterilized Soil ◽  
Successful Inoculation

Most of the cultures isolated from the New England Region of New South Wales were able to form effective associations with white clover. Associations with red, crimson, and subterranean clovers were of doubtful effectiveness, or definitely ineffective. Isolates from plants growing in the drier ayeas were the most effective symbionts with crimson and subterranean clovers, but those from plants in the wetter areas proved best with red and white clovers. This locality effect seemed to be related to the field host from which the isolate was obtained. Those from clustered and subterranean clover were more effective on crimson and subterranean clovers than were those from white clover. On the other hand white clover isolates were the most effective symbionts for white and red clovers. There was a similarity in the effectiveness of isolates of red and white, subterranean and crimson clovers. There was a significant negative correlation with all other pairs. An unusually large number of cultures was inconsistent in nodulation (29 per cent.) or failed to nodulate any of the four clover hosts (6 per cent.). There were initially only about 5 clover rhizobia per gram in the two soils examined but no difficulty was experienced in obtaining growth of bacteria in sterilized soil or successful inoculation of seed of subterranean clover sown in unsterilized soil in pots. A pure culture of each of the five strains was capable of forming nodules, but strains 297 and 298 were responsible for most of the nodules produced from a mixed inoculum. While the relative success of the strains in producing nodules appeared to be independent of their rate of multiplication in sterilized soil, it was affected to some extent by the type of soil.

Effects of waterlogging and soil salinity on irrigated agriculture in the Murray Valley: a review

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 761 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Grieve ◽  
E Dunford ◽  
D Marston ◽  
RE Martin ◽  
P Slavich
Keyword(s):  
Soil Salinity ◽  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Loss Coefficients

A physical model was used to assess the effects of surface waterlogging and soil salinity on the productivity of winter cereals and irrigated dairy pastures on irrigation farms in the Berriquin and Wakool Irrigation Districts of the Murray Valley region of New South Wales. Parameters describing the physical properties of major soil types were combined with statistically derived estimates of rainfall excess over evapotranspiration to establish the incidence of waterlogging. Soils predisposed to waterlogging occupy 150000 ha of Berriquin District (45% of District) and 24 800 ha of Wakool District (73%). Estimates of yield losses from waterlogging ranged from 12.5% in annual subterranean clover-based pastures, 20% in winter cereals, to 25% for perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures. The relationships between yield and soil salinity were determined for barley, wheat, white clover, subterranean clover, and irrigated annual and perennial pastures growing under existing management practices in shallow watertable areas of the 2 Districts. Response functions were applied to soil salinity frequency distributions to derive production loss coefficients. Surveys showed that average soil salinities were lower in Berriquin than in Wakool. In 1984, 43% the soils in shallow watertable areas of Berriquin could be classed as saline, whereas, in 1982 the corresponding figure for Wakool was 72%. A further survey taken in 1984, 2 years after the inception of a deep drainage scheme, showed that saline soils in Wakool had decreased to 46% of the total area.We assessed economic losses associated with soil salinity and waterlogging by applying the derived loss coefficients to achievable yields for known production areas. Total annual losses for the 2 Districts exceeded $A13 million, or 16% of the 1984 value of the District's agricultural production. This figure underestimates real losses because we excluded livestock enterprises other than dairying, as well as summer cropping, from the study. Losses due to waterlogging ($A10 million overall) were more serious than those due to soil salinity (nearly $A4 million), particularly in Berriquin where shallow watertables were less extensive. In Wakool, 2 years' operation of the deep drainage scheme reduced losses due to soil salinity by $A750 000.Thus surface waterlogging and soil salinity cause serious economic losses in the irrigated areas of southern New South Wales. Research into appropriate techniques for on-farm irrigation management may reduce these losses, and delay further development of shallow watertables and soil salinisation, with sub of stantial economic and environmental benefits.

Responses of pasture legumes to zinc on calcareous soils in the Riverina, New South Wales

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 228 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Kleinig ◽  
J Loveday
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Calcareous Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Barrel Medic ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Better Than

The low availability of zinc on a number of calcareous grey and brown soils of heavy texture with pH>8, in the Coleambally Irrigation and Balranald areas of New South Wales, resulted in marked deficient symptoms in, and responses to zinc by, Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean L.), grown on these soils. An interaction between zinc and manganese occurred but there was no yield advantage in applying manganese in place of, or together with, zinc. Healthy subterranean clover grew on the surface soil (0-4 in.) of Yooroobla clay, a gilgai puff, but plants on the subsoil, which is exposed when the soil is leveled for irrigation, were extremely, zinc deficient. The pH of the subsoil is generally about 0.5 units higher than that of the surface soil. Legume species and strains differed in their response to zinc. Ladino white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Clare subterranean clover responded less to applied zinc than Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover, and barrel medic 173 (Medicago tribuloides Desr.) responded less than Ladino white clover. When no zinc was applied barrel medic 173 yielded better than Ladino white clover, and Ladino white clover and Clare subterranean clover better than Bacchus Marsh subterranean clover.

Grass-white clover relationships during pasture development. 2. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer with superphosphate

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Wolfe ◽  
A Lazenby
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Intermediate Rate ◽  
Dominant Phase ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

The development of an intermittently grazed phalaris-white clover pasture was studied from 1967 to 1970 following factorial annual applications of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 56, 11 2 kg N ha-1) and superphosphate (0, 188, 375 kg ha-1) onto a previously unfertilized site near Armidale, New South Wales. Each year superphosphate increased annual yields of phalaris, clover and total pasture. The response to superphosphate of phalaris was mainly linear, but in the final year of the experiment the yield of clover was greater at the intermediate rate (SP188) than at SP375. Nitrogen increased annual dry matter yields of phalaris and total pasture only in the presence of superphosphate. Clover growth was not suppressed by nitrogen fertilizer until the final year, when total pasture yields were not increased by nitrogen. In the absence of applied nitrogen, pastures on the SP375 treatment were clover-dominant in 1967 and 1968 but strongly grass-dominant in 1970; at SP188, pastures remained clover-dominant after the establishment year. The application of up to 112 kg N ha-1 year -1 reduced the intensity of the clover-dominant phase at SP, and circumvented clover-dominance at SP188. Grass-white clover relationships during pasture development are discussed in relation to the prevention of cattle bloat.

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