Evaluation of clovers in dry hill country 4. Components of subterranean clover regeneration at Whatawhata, New Zealand

Herbage production and population regeneration characteristics of nine subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars were measured on a steep, dry, north-facing hillside at Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station, New Zealand. A close, linear relationship (r = 0.914) between subterranean clover herbage production and flowering date was observed. The latest flowering cultivar, "Tallarook', gave the highest herbage yields (average =770 kg dry matter (OM)/ ha per year) and, in the latter stages of the evaluation, was superior in seedling regeneration. Exceptions to the general relationship between time of flowering and herbage accumulation were: 'Howard' in 1983/ 84-higher production than predicted because of exceptionally good seedling regeneration; 'Clare' in both years-lower production because of poor persistence «3 years); and 'Mt Barker' in both years-lower production because of poor initial establishment. The mid-late or late-flowering cultivars 'Larisa', 'Mt Barker', and 'Tallarook' all appeared tolerant of intensive sheep grazing and persistent in this environment as a result of their predominantly small-leaved, dense growth habit. A late-flowering cultivar of similar morphology to "Tallarook', but containing little or no oestrogen, would be best suited to environments similar to Ballantrae.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Evaluation of clovers in dry hill country 8. Subterranean clover at “Ballantrae”, New Zealand

Chapman¹,

Williams²

1990

“…on steep hill country, especially northern facing slopes, which have little clover in the pasture as a result of regular seasonal dryness (Sheath & macFarlane 1990), greater pasture responses are likely to be obtained from application of N rather than P fertiliser. however, a moderate soil P status will be required to support the grass responses to N fertiliser.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pasture responses to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilisers on east coast hill country: 3. Production from steep slopes

Gillingham

Morton

Gray

et al. 2008

Aseries of trials was established in 2000, and measured until 2002, down the east coast of New Zealand on seven farms with contrasting amounts of spring-summer rainfall and resultant pasture growth. The aim was to evaluate the pattern of pasture responses to a range of nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates and associated soil phosphorus (P) levels generated by a range of P fertiliser treatments. Small plots excluded from grazing were established on steep (about 20 degrees slope) sites containing pastures that had been established for many years. Each of these steep sites was located within a hill paddock containing similar areas with a wide variety of slopes ranging from near flat to steep. Pasture production was measured approximately monthly (less frequently in seasons of slower growth), and soil was sampled for soil Olsen P test in mid spring each year. 90 kg N ha -1 ) were measured from three northern sites, whereas lower responses were recorded at the southern sites, and especially at Moeraki (3.7 kg DM kg -1 N applied). This may be partly explained by the lower temperatures in early spring at those sites. There was no pasture response over the late spring-autumn period in the North Island. However responses were measured at Moeraki in the South Island. There was little change in the average pasture response (kg DM kg -1 N fertiliser applied) to N fertiliser applied at 30 kg N ha -1 and at 90 kg N ha -1 at each site. This was in contrast to responses measured at the same locations on more gentle sloping sites where the average response declined as the rate of fertiliser N applied increased. Pasture responses in early spring to increase in soil Olsen P test were most pronounced on sites such as Wairoa and Wairarapa, with higher than average pasture clover content, and in years where the clover component was greatest. Some pasture responses to increase in soil Olsen P test also occurred over the late spring-autumn period, generally where there was significant clover content. Conclusions from these trials, together with those earlier reported, show that the initial grass:clover composition of the pasture, whether on easy or steep slopes, was able to be modified by both N fertiliser application, and by increasing soil Olsen P test, and was also a determining factor in the responses measured.

“…Cultivars which possessed an open, erect habit during reseeding were vulnerable to grazing damage and appeared unsuitable to current management practices in steep hill country. A propensity of some cultivars to germinate following summer rains was also unacceptable when reseeding was low (Sheath & Macfarlane 1990). To achieve maximum herbage yields, densities in June should exceed 150--200plants/m 2 • There was little advantage in using cultivars from the subspecies yanninicum ('Trikkala' and 'Larisa') and brachycalycinum ('Clare').…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consistently lower subterranean clover densities in June indicated that 'Woogenellup', 'Clare', 'Nangeela', and 'Larisa' were the least suited cultivars to the experimental conditions at Whatawhata. These cultivars exhibited low reseeding ability and/or a propensity to "false strike" (Sheath & Macfarlane 1990).…”

Section: Regenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of clovers in dry hill country 3. Regeneration and production of subterranean clover at Whatawhata, New Zealand

Sheath

Macfarlane

1990

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