scholarly journals Subterranean clover in North Canterbury sheep pastures

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
Tom and Anne Costello
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
One Year ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Seed Yields

The Hawarden basin is typified by dry, hot conditions over summer, which makes it difficult to retain ryegrass/white clover pastures on the lighter soils. These conditions have led to the introduction of better-adapted species such as the annual, subterranean clover. The mid-flowering cultivar 'Mt Barker' was first sown in the 1930s; then the earlyflowering 'Woogenellup' and late 'Tallarook' were used in the 1960s. The 'Mt Barker' type became dominant in these old pastures. The key factors for good subterranean clover growth were soil fertility (particularly P and S), space following dry summers for seedlings to re-establish, and moisture in the spring to maximise herbage yield. A visit to Australia in 1996 prompted the inclusion in new sowings of the late-flowering 'Leura' at high sowing rates (8-10 kg/ ha). It has taken 5 years for seed stocks to build to a level where we can identify good seedling strikes of 'Leura'. Two of the autumns over this period were very difficult and hindered normal establishment. Rainfall is erratic in North Canterbury, which affects the success of subterranean clover from one year to another. Dry summer conditions are optimal for subterranean clover strikes, as the pasture opens, and when the autumn break occurs, more than 2 000 subterranean clover seedlings/m2 can be produced. Autumn grazing management, when recovering from extreme drought, is critical because pasture must be spelled for 6 weeks to allow the subterranean clover to establish. However, if the autumn is wet, pasture cover must be controlled so that subterranean clover seedlings are not smothered. Set-stocking is best in spring to control pasture cover, but grazing should not be too hard during the flowering and seed set period. Subterranean clover seed yields of up to 250 kg/ha have been achieved from old pastures, but this is less seed than is produced under Australian conditions. Pasture renovation using the baker boot drill to re-introduce grasses and new cultivars of subterranean clover has been successful following very dry summers. Lamb growth rates have been excellent on subterranean clover-based pastures and these have increased the farm's meat production and reduced the cost of maintaining pastures. Key words: grazing management, North Canterbury, seedling establishment, seed set, subterranean clover

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.

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.

Reduction in the seed reserve of subterranean clover following the application of 2,4-D amine, dicamba, dicamba plus MCPA amine or glyphosate in spring

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 701
Author(s):  
PM Schroder ◽  
PJ Stapleton
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Flowering Stage ◽  
Late Flowering ◽  
Clover Seed

The reduction in the net seed set by subterranean clover (mostly cv. Mount Barker), and hence the size of the seed reserve, was assessed at sites near Hamilton, Victoria, following the application of dicamba, 2,4-D amine, a mixture of dicarnba and 2,4-D amine, or glyphosate, applied at early, mid or late flowering. Similar measurements were made on pastures dominated by cv. Yarloop near Seymour, Victoria, where either 2,4-D amine or a mixture of dicamba plus MCPA amine was applied at mid flowering. The experiments were conducted in 1984 and 1985 in both districts. At Hamilton, the clover seed reserve was 147 kg/ha before the treatments were applied. By early summer, the average seed reserve was 511 kg/ha where no herbicide was used and 211, 343 and 318 kg/ha where dicamba, 2,4-D mine or glyphosate were applied. The average reduction in net seed set for these 3 treatments was 80, 46 and 39%, respectively. Applying 2,4-D arnine in addition to dicamba did not cause a further significant reduction in the seed reserve. The earlier in the flowering stage the herbicide was applied, the greater the reduction in net seed set, and so the smaller the final seed reserve. At Seymour, the Yarloop clover seed reserve was 246 kg/ha before the treatments were applied. The average Yarloop seed reserve by early summer was 754 kg/ha where no herbicide was used, 335 kg/ha where dicamba plus MCPA arnine was applied and 365 kg/ha where 2,4-D amine was applied. The average reduction in the net seed set for the 2 herbicides was 83 and 77%. This work indicates that no seed will be added to the seed reserve of Mount Barker or Yarloop subterranean clover if dicamba is applied at 1.0 L/ha before the clover reaches the mid flowering stage. As cultivars differ in their susceptibility to herbicides, extending these results to other cultivars needs to be done with caution.

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.

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

BUMBLE BEE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS TO IMPROVE 'GRASSlANDS PAWERA' RED CLOVER SEED YIELDS

1983 ◽  
pp. 47-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.P. Macfarlane ◽  
R.P. Griffin ◽  
P.E.C. Read
Keyword(s):  
Food Source ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Field Placement ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Colony Management ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

Three options of bumble bee management for red clover pollination are discussed: spring supplementation with queens caught outside the locality; colony introduction at flowering; and permanently sited hives close to the crop. The first two options must be carried out annually whereas the last option presupposes an adequate local food source prior to flowering. It is contended that even with successful permanent siting further annual introductions would be required where the area in crop is to be considerably increased. Details of hive construction, field placement and colony management are outlined. In 1982 the amount of seed set, on a machine dressed basis, for one colony of B. hortorom and B. ruderatus was 130 kg and 56 kg respectively Keywords: Pawera red clover, seed yields, Bombus hortorum, B. ruderatus, hive construction, colony management.

Red clover seed production - research and practice

1980 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 76-79
Author(s):  
P.T.P. Clifford ◽  
A.C. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Certified Seed ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
National Average ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Production Research ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
Seed Yields

National average certified seed yields (1972.76) of New Zealand’s red clover cultivars are low, being 259 and 147 kg/ha, respectively, for Hamua and Turoa. Major factors considered important for improving these yields are: reduction in paddock size to improve pollination; preference for undersown pure sowings with the exception of wellmanaged Hamua/Manawa ryegrass mixtures; appropriate grazing management to promote a good level of individual plant development by closing; closing to be no earlier than the beginning of December; irrigation no later than closing date; harvesting dates brought forward 10 March for Hamua and early April for Turoa and Pawera by using a desiccant and direct heading when necessary.

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.

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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