Evaluation of clovers in dry hill country 1. General objectives and description of sites and plant material

Abstract

Pastures in summer-dry hill country typically contain low proportions of productive legumes such as white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.). This reflects the combined stresses of drought, low soil fertility, and grazing management, but there is no clear indication as to which attributes clover plants require to persist in these pastures. A national evaluation of nine subterranean clover cultivars and 10 white clover lines was initiated to identify plant characteristics associated with persistence and productivity of both species in grazed, summer-dry hill country, so that these characteristics can be incorporated within future plant introduction and breeding programmes. This paper describes the eight experimental sites and the attributes of the clover material evaluated. Detailed results are given in the 10 papers following.

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

“…The objective of these trials was to evaluate the persistence of a number of subterranean clover selections in a temperate, moderate-steep hill country environment. Desirable characteristics were identified in previous experiments (Sheath & Richardson 1983;Chapman et al 1986;Macfarlane et al 1990;Sheath & Macfarlane 1990a,b;Sheath et al 1990;Williams et al 1990). The screening programme included naturalised genotypes from long-term hill pastures in New Zealand, overseas accessions, and standard Australian cultivars.…”

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

“…Agronomic descriptions of the nine subterranean clover cultivars that were evaluated are given by Williams et al (1990). All were of Australian origin.…”

Evaluation of clovers in dry hill country 7. Subterranean and white clovers at Porangahau, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

“…A national seriesof experiments wasconducted to identify the most suitable lines/cultivars and agronomic traits of white clover (Trifoliwn repens L.) and subterranean cover (T. subterraneum L.) in dry hill country (Williams et al 1990). As part of thisseries, ninesubterranean covercultivarsand 10 white clover lines were evaluated between 1981 and 1986under a combination ofcutting andgrazing managements.…”