THE EFFECT OF SEEDING DATE AND CUTTING FREQUENCY ON THE YIELD AND PERSISTENCE OF RED CLOVER

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seeding date and cutting management on the yield and persistence of several cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Seeding dates were either in the spring or around mid-August while cutting treatments included two or three cuts in the first production year of the stand. Three experiments were established in 1980, 1982 and 1983 and each was evaluated for two consecutive production years. There was no difference in the yield and persistence of red clover stands seeded in May or June. In two of the three experiments, the first production year yields were lower for August seedings than for spring seedings; however, second production year yields were not different. In the third experiment, first production year yields were similar for spring and August seedings; however, second production year yields were higher for the August seeding. Cutting frequency generally had little effect on yield or persistence, but, when differences were detected, the two-cut system was superior to the three-cut. There was variation in the performance of the cultivars over the environmental conditions sampled by the three experiments. Choice of cultivar seems to be an important consideration in obtaining high-yielding, more persistent red clover stands.Key words: Trifolium pratense L., winter hardiness, seeding date, cutting frequency, clover (red)