Development of subterranean clover(Trifolium subterraneumL.) genotypes for New Zealand pastures 3. Whatawhata production evaluation

Abstract

A 2-year trial evaluated the herbage production of a number of selected subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars and lines. Seedlings were transplanted into small plots on a cultivated area of less than 5° slope. Morphological characteristics, spring herbage production, isoflavone content, and summer/autumn seedling emergence were measured. Of the cultivars evaluated in this trial, only 'Denmark' proved to be an improvement on 'Tallarook', and this was only on the basis of early-season growth. However, a number of lines in this trial stood out in terms of their growth during the spring period and their high level of seed production. They included AK 664, WS 1436, and WS 536. Herbage harvested over 3 months from pure swards exceeded the equivalent of 2700 kg DM/ha, and seed production exceeded 7000 seeds/m 2 . These lines also had tissue formononetin levels less than 0.20% of dry weight. These results will be combined with those from previous persistence trials to determine those lines suitable for further cultivar development.

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum): its history and current and future research in New Zealand

“…Other named cultivars were inferior. Dodd et al (1995c) obtained much the same result in another evaluation, recording the highest values of 400-2 000 kg/ha for total seed production of three North Island lines and an Australian breeding line-all exceeding 'Tallarook'. Buried seed, measured in March, and hence regarded as hard seed, was 21-69% of the total.…”

“…Herbage production Initially, research was limited to comparisons of herbage productivity of cultivars, (Levy & Gorman 1936;McLeod 1967;Smetham 1968;Harris et al1973) but whilst differences have been recorded, e.g. Dodd et al (1995c), those between cultivars flowering at the same time are small. Later flowering cultivars will always produce higher herbage yields, if moisture allows (Scott 1969), because of the greater number of nodes bearing leaves before flowering assumes priority for assimilates (Rossiter 1959).…”

Development of subterranean clover(Trifolium subterraneumL.) genotypes for New Zealand pastures 2. Wairakei persistence evaluation

“…Further evaluation of 'Karridale' in the central North Island region is warranted to confirm its suitability for the region. It should be noted however, that 'Karridale' was susceptible to clover flea and viral infection at another site and its persistence was poor (Dodd et al 1995b). …”

Tolerance of newly sown cocksfoot-clover pastures to the herbicide imazethapyr

“…Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is the most commonly sown annual clover species in New Zealand (Monks et al 2016;Stewart et al 2006). Under appropriate management, it can provide gains in quality and dry matter yields of pastures where the performance of perennial legumes is limited by summer dry conditions (Dodd et al 1995;Smetham 2003). In these regions, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) has been identified as a suitable perennial companion species.…”