Differential tolerance of Trifolium subterraneum L. (subterranean clover) cultivars to broadleaf herbicides 1. Herbage yield

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
GA Sandral ◽  
NE Coombes

The differential tolerance of 7 Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) cultivars to 5 broadleaf herbicide treatments applied at 2 rates was examined at 2 sites over 2 years. The herbicide treatments and the rate of active ingredient applied (kg a.i./ha) were 2,4-DB (0.8, 1.6), MCPA (0.5, 1.0), bromoxynil (0.28, 0.56), MCPA (0.15, 0.3) + terbutryn (0.275, 0.4125), and MCPA (0.25, 0.375) + diuron (0.25, 0.375). The herbage yield of all cultivars at 30 and 60 days after herbicide application (DAA) was suppressed by all herbicides except 2,4-DB at 60 DAA. There was marked variation in cultivar tolerance, with Trikkala being the most tolerant to all herbicides. Seaton Park was the most sensitive to MCPA + terbutryn, MCPA + diuron, and bromoxynil, while Karridale was the most sensitive to MCPA. Log10(sprayed yield) log10(unsprayed yield) was an appropriate measure of relative tolerance of cultivars to herbicide. While herbage yields and yield reduction due to the herbicides varied between sites and years, the effect of the herbicides and the relative responses of the cultivars were similar across years and sites. Herbage yield meaned over the 2 herbicide rates was reduced by 16-71% at 30 DAA depending on herbicide and cultivar, and by 445% at 60 DAA. A mixture of MCPA + terbutryn or MCPA + diuron caused the largest reduction in herbage (47-71%) at 30 DAA, while MCPA and 2,4-DB caused the smallest (16-56%) reduction. Neither the maturity ranking of the cultivar nor the cultivar vigour measured at 30 DAA influenced sensitivity to the herbicides. The rate of recovery (kg DM/ha.day) by the cultivars at 30-60 DAA was greatest in the MCPA, 2,4-DB, and bromoxynil treatments (80-120 kg DM/ha.day) and least in the MCPA + diuron treatment (71-84 kg DM/ha.day) and was not related to maturity ranking. Doubling the rate of herbicide increased herbage yield suppression and resulted in slower growth rates but did not affect seedling survival. The magnitude of the reduction in herbage yield has important implications for choice of herbicide and needs to be balanced against the likely loss due to weed competition. The identification of significant differential cultivar tolerance suggests that worthwhile improvements in tolerance can be achieved through plant breeding or selection.

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
B. A. Orchard ◽  
...  

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.


1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
GM Murray ◽  
PD Cregan ◽  
PA Taylor

Effects of the root disease caused by Phytophthora claiidestina were assessed at Wagga Wagga on 14 cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) following application of the herbicide bromoxynil. Seedling death over autumn-winter ranged from 22% in Trikkala, the most resistant cultivar, to 96% in Woogenellup, the most susceptible. Compared with previous years (1984-85), herbage yields and seed set of the most susceptible cultivars were depressed. Cultivars with the most severe disease symptoms (Woogenellup, Nungarin, Northam) did not set seed. Later maturing cultivars (Karridale, Enfield) appeared to recover from the disease and set more seed than earlier maturing cultivars (Dalkeith, Daliak) with similar reactions to P. clandestina. Field susceptibility (determined by leaf damage scores, seedling losses, and dry matter yield depression) was similar to glasshouse phytophthora ratings for most cultivars; however, Trikkala, Karridale, and Enfield were more affected in the field following herbicide application than expected from the glasshouse reaction. Trikkala, Junee, and Dalkeith were the cultivars most tolerant in the field to root rot, while Woogenellup, Northam, and Nungarin were the most severely affected. Leaf damage following herbicide application was greatest in cultivars showing the most severe root lesions and having the highest susceptibility to P. clandestina in a glasshouse test. P. clandestina reduced the productivity of susceptible subterranean clover cultivars and has the potential to reduce long-term persistence by reducing seed set.


1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
GA Sandral ◽  
NE Coombes

The effect of 5 broadleaf herbicides on the water use and stomatal resistance of 2 cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was examined in a glasshouse study. The herbicide treatments 2,4-DB, MCPA, bromoxynil, MCPA+terbutryn, and MCPA+diuron were applied at 6 rates at 2 times (14 May, 14 June) to plants at 2 leaf stages (3-4 and 8-10 leaves). Each of the herbicides reduced water use by the clover within 24 h, the size of the reduction increasing with the rate of herbicide applied. The herbicide treatments MCPA+terbutryn, MCPA+diuron, and bromoxynil caused the largest reductions (44-52%) in total water use over the 30-day period when applied at the recommended rate, and MCPA and 2,4-DB the least reduction (16-22%). Stomatal resistance increased substantially within 2 days of application of each of the herbicides. The magnitude of the change differed with herbicide and increased with herbicide rate. The effect of the herbicides on stomatal resistance declined 10-20 days after herbicide application in all treatments except 2,4-DB, but stomatal resistance of all herbicide-treated plants was still higher than the control 30 days after herbicide application. The herbicides LICPA+terbutryn and LlCPA+diuron and bromoxynil caused the largest increase in stomatal resistance and 2,4-DB the least. Stomatal resistance was found to be highly negatively correlated with daily water use by the clover plants at 2 days (r = -0.84, P < 0.01) and 30 days (r = -0.88, P < 0.01) after herbicide application. All of the herbicides reduced the LA1 of the plants, the effect increasing as the herbicide rate increased. Herbicide and herbicide rate had the largest effect on both water use and stomatal resistance; the effect of cultivar, leaf stage, and spraying time accounted for a relatively small proportion of the variance. The findings support the hypothesis that some broadleaf herbicides can result in a water-saving effect in subterranean clover swards through increasing stomatal resistance and decreasing the LAI, thereby potentially reducing moisture stress during seed set.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
John W. Piltz ◽  
Simon J. Flinn ◽  
Leslie A. Weston

Barley grass (Hordeum spp.) is a relatively short lived annual that provides high quality grazing early in the season, but its seed heads cause contamination of wool and carcasses, and may irritate the mouth, eyes and nose of sheep. Treatments were imposed on established subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) annual pasture in the same plots for three consecutive years (2015 to 2017) to evaluate changes in barley grass content. Treatments included: grazing alone (G), herbicide followed by grazing (HG), or a forage conservation harvest in early October, late October or early November consistent with an early silage harvest (ES), late silage harvest (LS) or hay cut (H). Grazing plus herbicide markedly reduced (P &lt; 0.05) barley grass numbers compared with all other treatments, but increased (P &lt; 0.05) the growth of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.). ES reduced (P &lt; 0.05) barley grass and increased (P &lt; 0.05) subterranean clover compared with H, but broadleaf weed content benefitted by LS in contrast to either ES or H. Although herbicide application was the most effective method for barley grass control, forage harvest timing could be used to beneficially manipulate pasture composition.


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland

The effect of superphosphate applications (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg P/ha to the soil surface) on the dry matter (DM) herbage production of dense swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Junee) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus cv. Tauro) was measured in a field experiment on deep, sandy soil in south-western Australia. The swards were defoliated with a reel mower at weekly intervals from 88 to 158 days after sowing, to a height of 2 cm for the first 9 cuts, 4 cm for the tenth cut and 5 cm for the eleventh cut. Yellow serradella was more productive than subterranean clover. Consequently, for the relationship between yield and the level of phosphorus (P) applied, yellow serradella supported larger maximum yields and required less P than subterranean clover, to produce the same DM herbage yield. Maximum yields of yellow serradella were 12-40% larger. To produce 70% of the maximum yield for yellow serradella at each harvest, yellow serradella required about 50% less P than subterranean clover. However, when yields were expressed as a percentage of the maximum yield measured for each species at each harvest, the relationship between yield and the level of P applied was similar for both species, and they had similar P requirements.


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Wolfe ◽  
J. A. Paul ◽  
P. D. Cregan

The purposes of this study were to evaluate subterranean clover-based leys on farms and in experiments using several pasture parameters, and to assess the impact of winter cleaning on the productivity and botanical composition of clover swards. Annual pastures were monitored on a group of 5 farms in the Wagga district and compared with an experimental subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) pasture. The major problem in the farm paddocks was a lack of legume biomass due to poor legume densities, a consequence of the use of the soft-seeded cultivar Woogenellup and a high content of grassy weeds. The farmers in the group were unaware of the tools, parameters and benchmarks for making quantitative pasture comparisons. In 2 experiments, a range of subterranean clover swards were generated through the use of cultivars, seeding rate and winter cleaning treatments, grazed at 15 sheep/ha and monitored for 3 years. Appropriate benchmark values for the seed pool of subterranean clover were 300–350 kg/ha in winter and 600–700 kg/ha in summer. On the basis of both winter production, a function of May seedling density (target >1000 seedlings/m2) and spring production, which depended on the cultivar maturity, Junee was superior at Wagga to either Dalkeith (earlier maturing) or Woogenellup (softer seeded). Winter cleaning, using selective herbicides (fluazifop, simazine) to remove grasses and weeds, was advantageous in achieving a high content (>90%) and productivity of subterranean clover, provided that the legume content of the pasture was at least 28%, or >20% of total ground area before herbicide application in winter. In winter-cleaned swards, legume growth increased by up to 80%, legume biomass was improved by up to 46% and legume content increased from <50 to >95%. The main disadvantages of winter cleaning were increased areas of bare ground and reduced total biomass for several weeks after herbicide application, and the rapid development of ryegrass that was resistant to at least 1 of the herbicides used. The strategic use of observations to monitor the performance of pastures and their response to management is discussed.


1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
GA Sandral ◽  
JE Pratley ◽  
NE Coombes

The importance of stage of phenological development and cultivar maturity ranking in influencing the seed yield response of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) to broadleaf herbicides was examined in a field study in southern New South Wales. The herbicides, bromoxynil (200 g a.i./L) at 1.4 L/ha and MCPA (500 g a.i./L) at 1.0 Wha, were applied 6 (TI) and 3 weeks (T2) before flowering, and at 5% flowering (T3) to 7 cultivars ranging from early to late flowering. The stage of phenological development at herbicide application, the maturity ranking of the cultivar and the herbicide applied, all influenced seed set. Application of bromoxynil at T1 did not reduce seed yield of any cultivar but increased seed yield of 4 cultivars by up to 30%. MCPA applied at the same time reduced seed yield in 1 cultivar by 26% and increased yields in 4 others by up to 57%. Application of bromoxynil at T3 caused reductions in seed yield in 3 of the 7 cultivars. MCPA applied at this time was more damaging than bromoxynil with all cultivars showing large seed yield reductions ranging from 22 to 64%. Despite large reductions in herbage yield as a result of some herbicide treatments, there was only a low correlation (r = 0.3, P<0.01) between herbage yield at full flower and seed yield. Our findings suggest that the reduction in herbage yield and change in canopy structure as a result of the early application of herbicides stimulated seed production. Seed number was the primary yield component responsible for the change in seed yield with a high correlation (r = 0.86, P<0.01) between these 2 parameters. Seed size was relatively insensitive to herbicide treatment but varied markedly with cultivar. Germination percentage of seed produced by swards treated with bromoxynil was unaffected, even when applied at T3, whereas MCPA lowered germination percentage of almost all cultivars if applied within 3 weeks of the commencement of flowering. The maturity ranking of the cultivars was highly negatively correlated with percentage seed yield loss (r = -0.80, P<0.01) when either herbicide was applied at T3, the seed yield of the early flowering cultivars being most depressed by the herbicides. Length of recovery period between herbicide application and flowering was shown to be very important in influencing seed yield, the effect being modified by both herbicide and cultivar maturity.


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAC Jones

During 1989-92, subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown in field experiments in which swards of six cultivars were infected with bean yellow mosaic potyvirus (BYMV) by transplanting small BYMV-infected subterranean clover plants into them. The swards were then grazed by sheep or mown to simulate grazing. The infected transplants were the primary virus source for subsequent spread by aphids. Spread initially centred on infected transplants resulting in circular expanding infected patches. Later, secondary patches, isolated affected plants and more generalized infection sometimes developed. The extent of spread within swards from the transplants varied with cultivar, BYMV isolate, site and year. Final BYMV incidence ranged from 12% of plants symptom-affected by isolate MI in cv. Junee in 1991 to 100% by isolate SMB in cv. Leura in 1992. BYMV spread mostly occurred in spring and was increased around the edges of areas of bare ground in swards. In two experiments at one site in which 'mini swards' of cvv. Green Range, Karridale and Leura were mown repeatedly, BYMV-infection decreased herbage yields (dry weights) by 12-16% while seed yields were decreased significantly (by 37-40010) in one experiment. In a grazing experiment at a second site with swards of cvv. Esperance and Karridale, BYMV-infection decreased overall yields of herbage by 18-39% and seed by 11-12%; herbage yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 28-49%. In a further grazing experiment at this site with swards of cvv. Junee and Karridale, BYMV-induced losses determined from symptom-affected patches were 21-29% for herbage and 15-25% for seed. In a grazing experiment with swards of cvv. Denmark and ~ e u r a ' at a third site, BYMV-induced overall herbage yield decreases of 8-12% were still recorded despite extensive BYMV spread to control swards; yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 18-25% for herbage and 35-47% for seed. Seed yield losses were due to decreased seed size (mean seed weight), fewer seeds being produced, or both. Estimates of the effects of different levels of BYMV infection on herbage yields in partially infected grazed swards were obtained for cvv. Denmark, Karridale and Leura by plotting individual quadrat data for herbage dry weights against % symptom-affected plants. Losses increased in proportion to the level of infection, but their magnitude also varied with cultivar and experiment. It is concluded that BYMV infection of subterranean clover pastures is cause for concern, not only as regards herbage yield losses but also as regards depletion of the seed bank, which, when compounded year by year, results in pasture deterioration. Early and prolonged aphid activity, reseeding the pasture with susceptible cultivars, heavy grazing and extended growing seasons are all likely to magnify BYMV-induced losses.


2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 632 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Tozer ◽  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
P. E. Quigley ◽  
P. M. Dowling ◽  
R. D. Cousens ◽  
...  

Vulpia species C.C. Gmel. are annual grass weeds that can reduce the productivity of perennial pastures throughout southern Australia. To develop more effective strategies to manage vulpia, a 3-year experiment was established in western Victoria (average annual rainfall: 625 mm) comparing different methods currently used to control this weed. Overdrilling perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed and simazine application treatments were applied to phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) pastures that were set-stocked or rotationally grazed (either as a four-paddock or strategic rotation) with Merino ewes. The content of vulpia, subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and other annual grasses as a proportion of total dry matter increased, and the proportion of phalaris decreased in most grazing treatments throughout the experiment. The mean vulpia content was lowest and the phalaris content was highest in the four-paddock rotation, whereas vulpia content was greatest and phalaris content was lowest under set-stocking. Simazine application in June with or without ryegrass overdrilling reduced the number of vulpia tillers/m2 in 2000 and 2001 and vulpia panicle production in 2000, although vulpia populations increased to pretreatment levels in herbicide-treated swards by 2002. The number of vulpia seeds in the soil seed bank was not affected by any of the treatments. The most effective treatment was a combination of ryegrass overdrilling and herbicide application in the four-paddock, rotationally grazed pastures. This experiment highlights the need for an integrated approach to manage vulpia since relying on herbicide application alone is ineffective. This is particularly the case when competitive pasture species are unable to adequately utilise available resources and prevent a recovery in vulpia populations.


1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
GA Sandral ◽  
BS Dear ◽  
NE Coombes

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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document