Improving red clover persistence under grazing

Abstract

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) offers a number of advantages as a forage legume, but is constrained by poor persistence under grazing. The objective of this research was to test the growth and persistence of 18 populations among a wider set of 142 New Zealand and overseas accessions of red clover, in a mixed-sward replicated plot trial under rotational grazing by cattle in the Manawatu. We also measured plant morphological trait expression in a row trial using samples of the same red clover populations evaluated in the plot trial. Most red clover populations showed a marked decline in growth score after two years under grazing. The new variety 'Grasslands Relish' showed significantly (P

Comparative evaluation of diploid and tetraploid red clover accessions in a flat area of Northern Bulgaria

“…Data showed the flowering in the year of sowing as well as the earliness by vegetation are not associated with lower longevity, as claimed by Choo (1984). Ford and Barrett (2011) and Annicchiarico and Pagnotta (2012) also found a positive relationship between earliness and persistence in dry conditions. The rapid development reported for local populations in the study can be considered as an adaptive biological feature that avoids drought as a stress factor.…”

Improved persistence of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) increases the protein supplied by red clover/grass swards grown over four harvest years

“…New germplasm, selected for improved persistence, can maintain a higher red clover yield into the fourth harvest year, and the yield decline between harvest Years 1 and 4 is considerably less than in other commercially available varieties. Selection for improved persistence was reflected in improved plant survival, and consequently higher DM yield in the third and fourth harvest years, which also resulted in a higher Table Meteorological data (rainfall (mm), average minimum and maximum temperature (°C), at IBERS, Aberystwyth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011and 2012, with 25 year (1988-2012 b) Annual red clover yield (t DM ha -1 ) of 12 red clover populations grown in plots with hybrid ryegrass (Treatment 1) or a hybrid/perennial ryegrass mixture (Treatment 2) over 4 harvest years. Yield is based on 3 cuts in each harvest year.…”

“…persistence under grazing, as this may have a greater impact on the choice of companion grass species than the management system included in this study. This is particularly important if the proposed management system will involve some longer and more severe grazing, and if it includes an element of sheep grazing in each growing season, as in this study, or cattle grazing, as in other studies (Ford and Barrett, 2011).…”

Comparison of New Zealand perennial clovers for resilience against common pasture pests

“…In conclusion, this study demonstrated that clover species rather than cultivar is responsible for the biggest differences in invertebrate/foliage herbivore interactions although the reasons for observed differences are not yet known. Unfortunately, tap-rooted red clovers have relatively poor persistence in pasture grazed by cattle (Ford et al 2011) so plant breeders must balance agronomic as well as pest resilience factors in their search for more persistent clovers. If we are to improve the ability of the two main New Zealand clover species to cope with pest attack, it appears that novel genetic material would need to be sourced from outside current New Zealand cultivars by crossing or hybridising with clovers with known resistance attributes.…”

“…Clover cultivars were selected for screening following consultation with clover breeders from the main New Zealand seed companies as well as AgResearch scientists involved in clover research, and reference to recent research (Ford & Barrett 2011;Ferguson et al 2016). These consisted of seven red clovers Trifolium pratense, 10 white clovers T. repens, a Caucasian (T. ambiguum) × white clover hybrid, and a strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum (Table 1).…”