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

Abstract

Nine subterranean clover cultivars (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and 10 white clover lines(T. repens L.) wereevaluated for5 yearsunder conditions of regular summer drought and winter water-logging. Grazing management initially allowed an assessment of growth potential; regenerative ability was morerealistically assessed under typical farm management during the last 3 years of the experiment. Erect, open growing subterranean clover cultivars (e.g., 'Clare', 'Woogenellup') yielded the most under lenient cutting managements and where populations were artificially boosted by transplanting. After 3 years of farm grazing, 'Tallarook' had achieved the greatestseed and seedlingnumbers (7500and 330/ m 2 respectively). Allcultivars except 'SeatonPark', "Irikkala', and 'Woogenellup' achieved pasture coverinexcessof 30%by theendof theexperiment. This indicates thegeneralsuitability of subterranean cover to these site conditions. Despite replanting and lenient defoliation management during late spring-summer,no whitecloverlines satisfactorily persistedafter 3 years.

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

“…A similar conclusion was reached at other sites in this series (e.g., Macfarlane et al 1990;Sheath & Macfarlane 1990a;Sheath et al, 1990). The later plants flower, the greater their opportunity to exploit the warm, moist growth conditions of spring.…”

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

“…This cultivar was consistently cited in the national evaluation series as being the most well-adapted to dry North Island hill country environments Macfarlane et al 1990;Sheath & Macfarlane 1990a;Sheath et al 1990). In the previous two trials in the present series (Dodd et al 1995a,b), its suitability for this environment was confirmed.…”

“…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.…”

Genetic differentiation in white clover(Trifolium repens)populations during 8 years of contrasting phosphorus supply in New Zealand hill country

“…The hill land environment, characterised by variable levels of soil mineral nutrients, spatially and temporally uneven soil moisture supply, and variable defoliation, creates strong selection pressure against poorly adapted plant material. Charlton (1984), Sheath et al (1990), Macfarlane et al (1990a-c) and Chapman & Williams (1990) all present evidence of poorly adapted white clover or subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) lines being eliminated, or reduced to a bare presence in the sward, within 3 years of introduction.…”