Advanced analysis of dry‐weight‐rank data to discriminate direct and indirect interactions between white clover and grasses in a multi‐species pasture under a range of management strategies

Abstract

Infestations of pastures by species, such as creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), may compromise the white clover (Trifolium repens) content in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) mixtures. However, the interactions between white clover and species other than perennial ryegrass are not well understood. Strategies to prevent creeping bentgrass infestations require an understanding of its interactions with white clover, as the exclusion of white clover from infested pastures could be the result of either direct interaction or niche‐differentiation in response to management. A methodology is presented which enables the segregation of the effects of direct interaction and niche‐differentiation, based on existing dry‐weight‐rank measurements of a number of experimental pastures, subjected to a range of management strategies. Only between the two management extremities, i.e. permanent cutting of silage and lax grazing for long periods, did niche‐differentiation occur between white clover and creeping bentgrass. The white clover content was enhanced under the cutting regime, whereas lax grazing for long periods stimulated the content of creeping bentgrass. White clover was actively excluded from creeping‐bentgrass‐dominated patches by direct interaction, whereas it showed a high compatibility with perennial ryegrass. This direct interaction presents challenges to the prevention of creeping bentgrass by management, as creeping bentgrass and white clover showed nearly identical requirements in terms of environmental conditions and grassland management.

Long‐term effects on sward composition and animal performance of reducing fertilizer inputs to upland permanent pasture

“…Thus, the survival of white clover depends on the competitiveness of the associated grasses. While white clover shows a high compatibility with perennial ryegrass, it has been shown to be actively excluded from Agrostis stolonifera ‐dominated patches (Schulte and Neuteboom, 2002). This could potentially result in further loss of clover from within the Nil swards in the future.…”

A Novel Approach to Grass–Legume Management

“…Rochon et al (2004) suggested that the timing of the first harvest cut or grazing is also crucial for determining the competitiveness of white clover and sustaining it. Schulte and Neuteboom (2002) observed that in grazed swards, white clover colonizes areas of damaged swards caused by heavy grazing and trampling of animals. In this situation, weeds can overgrow the white clover resulting in patchiness and a failure to achieve the ideal balance of grass and clover (Schulte and Neuteboom, 2002).…”

“…Schulte and Neuteboom (2002) observed that in grazed swards, white clover colonizes areas of damaged swards caused by heavy grazing and trampling of animals. In this situation, weeds can overgrow the white clover resulting in patchiness and a failure to achieve the ideal balance of grass and clover (Schulte and Neuteboom, 2002). Carrere et al (2001) studying how the vertical and horizontal structure of a perennial ryegrass and white clover sward influences grazing reported that in mixed patches of a strip sward, clover was also more defoliated than ryegrass (30.0 vs. 18.0%).…”

Grazing legumes in Europe: a review of their status, management, benefits, research needs and future prospects

“…In grazed swards, white clover colonizes areas of damaged sward caused by heavy grazing and trampling of animals. In this situation, weeds can overgrow the white clover resulting in patchiness and a failure to achieve the ideal balance of grass and white clover (Schulte and Neuteboom, 2002). In damaged swards, seeding and reseeding are more difficult, so special techniques are required and the results are often not very successful (Dyckmans, 1989; Klöcker, 1989).…”