Effect of perennial pasture species on surface soil moisture and early growth and survival of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) seedlings

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
P. S. Cocks
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Standing Dead ◽  
Clover Seed

Subterranean clover seedling numbers and growth in swards containing 1 of 5 perennial pasture species [phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) cv. Sirolan, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cv. Currie, lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Aquarius, wallaby grass (Danthonia richardsonii) cv. Taranna, and lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) cv. Consol] were compared with those in typical annual pastures and pure clover swards in the wheatbelt of eastern Australia. Presence of a perennial species or the volunteer annual grass (Eragrostis cilianensis) increased the rate of drying of the soil surface (0–5 cm) after late February and May rain, compared with subterranean clover swards. Perennials differed in the rate they dried the soil surface, with the more summer-active lucerne and consul lovegrass drying the profile more rapidly than phalaris. The amount of water in the surface 5 cm, 6 days after the rainfall event on 27–28 February, was strongly negatively correlated (r = –0·75, P < 0·01) with the amount of green perennial biomass, but not related to standing dead material or surface residues. Where perennials were present, a smaller proportion (2–4%) of the clover seed pool produced seedlings in response to late summer rain, compared with pure clover swards (18%). A higher proportion of the seed pool produced seedlings (19–36%) following rain in late autumn but there was no difference between species. The more summer-active perennials (cocksfoot, danthonia, and lucerne) markedly depressed the survival of emerged clover seedlings following both germinations. Of the seedlings that emerged in early March, the proportion remaining by 29 March was 57% in phalaris, 21% in lucerne, 13% in danthonia, and 1% in cocksfoot, compared with a 78% increase in seedlings in pure subterranean clover swards. By 15 May, all perennials had <2 clover seedlings/m2 surviving, compared with 37 in the annual pasture and 964 plants/m2 in pure subterranean clover. Following the May germination, the highest proportion of emerged seedlings surviving until 29 May was in the phalaris swards (40%) and least in the cocksfoot and danthonia swards (2–4%). Presence of a perennial or annual grass decreased (P < 0·05) relative water content of clover seedlings on 15 March from 74% in pure clover swards, to 48% in annual pasture, 34% in phalaris, and 29% in lucerne swards. Clover seedlings growing in pure subterranean swards on 15 March (17 days after germinating rain) were 4 times larger than those in lucerne and twice as large as those in either phalaris or annual pasture. Seed size did not differ between treatments, but available mineral soil nitrogen was significantly higher (P < 0·001) in pure subterranean clover swards (32 mg N/g) compared with perennials (3–13 mg N/g). Strategies such as heavy grazing in late summer to reduce green biomass of the perennials or sowing the perennials at lower densities may reduce the adverse effects that perennials have on subterranean clover seedlings in these drier environments.

Effect of tillage practices on the fate of hard seeds of subterranean clover in a ley farming system

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Tillage Treatment ◽  
Clover Seed

In a rotation of 1 year pasture/l year crop, a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Daliak) pasture was either left untilled or subjected to minimum or conventional tillage. One set of tillage treatments was imposed in each ofthree crop years while another set of treatments was imposed in only the first crop year. Regenerating clover plants were prevented from setting seed. In the first crop, 44% of the clover seeds were buried below 2 cm of soil by minimum tillage; this proportion was 65% in the conventional tillage treatment. In the first pasture regeneration year, seedling densities were highest in the no-tillage treatment. Conversely, there were more residual seeds in the tilled treatments and, in the second and third pasture regeneration years, this led to higher seedling densities than in the no-tillage treatment. The effects of tillage were more marked in the conventional than in the minimum-tillage treatment. Clover establishment was improved by repeat tillage operations which returned some of the buried seeds closer to the soil surface. Although more seedlings overall were obtained from the no-tillage treatment, the disadvantage of fewer seedlings in the tilled treatments was offset by the spread of seedling establishment over a number of pasture years. This spread, which would be more marked with harder-seeded cultivars, could be desirable in environments in which clover seed production is unreliable.

Plant population dynamics in subterranean clover and murex medic swards. 3. Effect of pod burial, summer grazing and autumn cultivation on emergence

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Blumenthal ◽  
RL Ison
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Plant Population Dynamics ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Ley Farming ◽  
Summer Grazing

Murex medic (Medicago murex Willd.) seedling recruitment is more sensitive to soil water at the time of emergence than subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Murex medic pods normally lay on the soil surface. Shallow burial of pods may be beneficial when soil moisture is marginal for germination and emergence. In addition, the tightly coiled structure of murex medic pods may also act as a barrier to water uptake by the seed. Two methods of burying murex medic pods were investigated in the field: (i) trampling by sheep hooves through summer grazing; and (ii) through light cultivation in autumn. A glasshouse experiment was also conducted to examine the interaction between the length of time that the soil stays moist and pod burial for CD26 and CD53 murex medic and Dalkeith, Junee, Seaton Park and Woogenellup subterranean clover. In the glasshouse, pod burial was important for the attainment of maximum emergence in all genotypes when soil water was limiting. However, pod structure did not appear to have a limiting role in germination and emergence in murex medic. When tested in the field, pod burial by sheep trampling through summer grazing improved emergence in CD26, possibly because the smaller more open pod was more easily trampled than that of CD53. Summer grazing in CD53 and Dalkeith and autumn cultivation in all genotypes did not improve emergence; possible reasons for this are discussed so to is the role of murex medic in ley farming systems in eastern Australia.

The production and life span of seed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1959 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Donald
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Genetic Difference ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Daily Minimum Temperature ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Carry Over

At an elevation of 2040 ft on the southern tablelands of Kew South Wales, seed production by swards of subterranean clover was apparently governed by mininnnn temperatures (frequency and intensity of frosts) during the flowering period. The aggregate deficit of the daily minimum temperature below 40°F in the 21 days from the commencement of flowering showed a high correlation with seed production per unit area in four successive seasons. Spring frosts account for the altitudinal limit of about 4000 ft to which subterranean clover grows in the alps of south-eastern Australia. Lateness of flowering has specific survival value at high altitudes in this region and in such areas as the high parts of the plateau of Spain. On the average 92 per cent. of the seed crop germinated in the year following its production, with 6.3 per cent. in the second year, and with falling values to 0.07 per cent. in the fifth year. Germination thereafter was nil or negligible. The early-flowering variety Dwalganup appeared to show a genetic difference in the persistence of more of its seed into the second and subsequent years. There was a regular seasonal pattern of seed germination, with the peak of germination occurring in the late summer and autumn. The "carry over" of seed into the second and subsequent years, and the germination peak in the autumn, have each considerable ecological significance.

scholarly journals Harvesting subterranean clover seed – current practices, technology and issues

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Wesley M. Moss ◽  
Andrew L. Guzzomi ◽  
Kevin J. Foster ◽  
Megan H. Ryan ◽  
Phillip G. H. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Pasture Plant ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
Production Industry ◽  
Pasture Legume

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is Australia’s most widely sown annual pasture legume. Its widespread use as a pasture plant requires a well-functioning seed production industry, and Australia is the only significant producer of subterranean clover seed globally. However, the sustainability of this industry is under threat due to its reliance on ageing harvest equipment and the resultant environmental impacts. In order to evaluate seed harvesting practices, technology, and issues, we report on case studies, workshops, and a survey of seed producers across southern Australia. The Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester, designed in the 1950s, remains the most popular subterranean clover seed harvester. We discuss its use and modifications, and document several contemporary issues facing the seed production industry. Issues are primarily soil erosion and degradation; the expensive, slow and labour-intensive harvest process; and poor reliability and maintainability of harvesters that are now at least 30 years old. We conclude the root cause of these issues is the suction harvest technology utilised by the Horwood Bagshaw Clover Harvester. Analysis of the current harvest system is provided to support the development of new approaches to harvest subterranean clover seeds.

Long-term persistence of subterranean clover Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars at three sites in south-western Victoria

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 531
Author(s):  
S. G. Clark ◽  
J. Li ◽  
A. M. Johnson ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
J. F. Chin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Black Seeds ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Annual Weeds

Summary. The seed banks of 6 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars were sampled at 3 abandoned cultivar evaluation experiments in south-western Victoria (Hamilton, Macarthur and Timboon). Two were var. yanninicum (Trikkala and Larisa) and 4 were var. subterraneum (Denmark, Goulburn, Karridale and Leura). Seed was sampled in late summer–early autumn 1993, between 6 and 10 years after the sites were established and between 3 and 7 years after the sites were abandoned. The collected seed was separated into black and white seed, and a sample of the black seed was grown in a glasshouse and identified as either belonging to the sown cultivar or belonging to another cultivar/genotype. All white seed was assumed to belong to the sown cultivar. The aim was to determine if these widely used cultivars were persisting under farm management conditions and competition from perennial grass, other subterranean clover and annual weeds. With some variation between sites all cultivars were found to be persisting satisfactorily. Over the 3 sites, white-seeded cultivars averaged 460 kg/ha and 6640 seeds/m2; black-seeded cultivars averaged 260 kg/ha and 5590 seeds/m2. Contamination with other subterranean clover cultivars/ecotypes was generally low, except at Macarthur where the white-seeded cultivars were heavily contaminated (Trikkala 39% pure; Larisa 57% pure) with black seeds highlighting the poor adaptation of var. yanninicum to light soil types. Of the black seeds, over the 3 sites, average contamination level was 13% and ranged from 41% (Goulburn at Macarthur) to 1% (Leura at Timboon). The study indicates that in south-western Victoria, all the recently released cultivars are likely to persist and be productive, and that the small-plot evaluation techniques used to identify potential new cultivars are likely to be adequate if replicated in space and if the clovers are sown in mixed swards with perennial grass.

Sustainable grazing systems for the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. 1. Agronomic implications of vegetation - environment associations within a naturalised temperate perennial grassland

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. McG. King ◽  
P. M. Dowling ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
G. D. Millar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Winter Annual

Temperate perennial grass-based pastures dominate the high rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia and support a major livestock production industry. This area has experienced a recent change in overall pasture condition, however, typified by a reduction in the abundance of perennial grasses and an increasingly prominent winter-annual grass weed component. Improving the condition and productivity of these pastures can be achieved by improved management but this requires better knowledge of the interactions between management options and pasture species composition and of the interaction between pasture vegetation and the complex effects of a heterogeneous landscape. This paper reports the results of an intensive survey of a 60-ha paddock that was designed to identify the species present, determine their patterns of distribution and examine the relationships between pasture vegetation and the environment. The survey of species present in late summer was supplemented by the identification of seedlings that later emerged from extracted soil cores and by soil physical and chemical analyses. Data were analysed using ordination and interpreted with GIS software so that topographic features could be considered. The most frequently identified taxa were Hypochaeris radicata, Austrodanthonia spp. and Bothriochloa spp. (in late summer) and Vulpia spp., Bromus molliformis and Trifolium subterraneum (winter-annual species). Austrodanthonia spp. were commonly found on the drier ridges and more acid soils with lower phosphate levels. These were also the areas dominated in spring by Vulpia spp. and were generally lower in plant species richness overall. The most species-rich areas occurred downslope where soil fertility was higher and less moisture stress was presumably experienced. The measured environmental factors explained a substantial proportion of the variation in the vegetation dataset, which underlined the importance of considering landscape effects in the management of typical tablelands pastures.

Response of defoliated swards of subterranean clover and yellow serradella to superphosphate applications

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
The Relationship

The effect of superphosphate applications (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg P/ha to the soil surface) on the dry matter (DM) herbage production of dense swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Junee) and yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus cv. Tauro) was measured in a field experiment on deep, sandy soil in south-western Australia. The swards were defoliated with a reel mower at weekly intervals from 88 to 158 days after sowing, to a height of 2 cm for the first 9 cuts, 4 cm for the tenth cut and 5 cm for the eleventh cut. Yellow serradella was more productive than subterranean clover. Consequently, for the relationship between yield and the level of phosphorus (P) applied, yellow serradella supported larger maximum yields and required less P than subterranean clover, to produce the same DM herbage yield. Maximum yields of yellow serradella were 12-40% larger. To produce 70% of the maximum yield for yellow serradella at each harvest, yellow serradella required about 50% less P than subterranean clover. However, when yields were expressed as a percentage of the maximum yield measured for each species at each harvest, the relationship between yield and the level of P applied was similar for both species, and they had similar P requirements.

Phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum deficiencies in soils from eastern Australia in relation to nutrient supply and some characteristics of soil and climate.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
The Other ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
Sulphur Deficiency ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Western Victoria

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown on 32 virgin soils in pot cultures, and the yield responses to phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum were determined for each soil. The soils were collected from a wide area in eastern Australia, extending from south-western Victoria to southern Queensland. Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency. In fact, 75 per cent. of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur. Thirty-one per cent. were deficient in all three elements. The effect of the interaction between the elements on the occurrence and intensity of the deficiencies is shown. Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected. A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two. There was no correlation between the occurrence or intensity of the deficiencies and the geological origin of the soil parent material, the climate of the regions from which the soils were collected, or such soil characters as colour, organic matter, and texture. Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate. The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.

Lucerne, phalaris, and wallaby grass in short-term pasture phases in two eastern Australian wheatbelt environments. 2. Effect of perennial density and species on subterranean clover populations and the relative success of 3 clover cultivars of different maturity

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
B. A. Orchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Clover Seed

The effect of the density of 3 perennial species, phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia richardsonii Kunth), and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), on seed set, regeneration, and the relative competitiveness of 3 cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was examined in 2 environments in the south-eastern Australian wheatbelt. Seed yields of subterranean clover were inversely related to perennial density at both sites over the first 2 years, the relationship varying with perennial species. Phalaris depressed the seed yield of clover more than lucerne and wallaby grass in the second and third year at equivalent densities. Clover seed yield was positively related to clover herbage yield in late spring at both sites, and inversely related to perennial herbage yield. Clover seed yield displayed an increasing linear relationship with the proportion of light reaching the clover understorey in spring, which in turn was inversely related to perennial density and perennial herbage yield. Clover seedling regeneration in mixed swards in autumn was positively related to the size of the summer seed bank, but negatively related to perennial density. Clover seedling survival following a premature germination at Kamarah was inversely correlated to the density of phalaris and lucerne in the sward. The relative competitiveness of the 3 subterranean clover cultivars varied between sites, with climatic conditions (rainfall and growing-season length) having a greater effect on the relative cultivar performance than companion perennial species or density. The later maturing subterranean clover cv. Goulburn became the dominant cultivar at the wetter site, constituting 72% of the seed bank, but declined to only 3–8% of the seed bank at the drier site. The proportion of the early flowering cultivar Dalkeith in the seed bank increased over time at the drier site and was highest (53%) in plots with the highest perennial density. We concluded that although perennial pasture species will depress clover seed yield and subsequent regeneration, these effects could be minimised by reducing perennial densities and exploiting variations in competitiveness between perennial species as identified in this study. Sowing earlier maturing subterranean clover cultivars would only be an advantage in increasing clover content in low-rainfall environments. The findings suggest that clover seed reserves and regeneration could also be increased by using grazing management to reduce the level of shading of clover by perennials, a factor associated with reduced clover seed yield.

The effect of time of application of superphosphate on seasonal yield of dry matter from annual pasture

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (57) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
AA McGowan ◽  
IH Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Phosphorus Requirement ◽  
June July

The effect of time of application of superphosphate on the dry matter produced from a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum)annual grass pasture was studied. Treatments involved an annual topdressing of superphosphate, at 125 kg ha-1, in a particular month of the year, for each of the twelve months ; there was also an unfertilized control. In winter, dry matter yield was increased by 350-1190 kg ha-1 when superphosphate was applied at any time of the year. Winter yields were higher after application in January to May (mean 1570 kg ha-1) than in October to December (mean 1190 kg ha-1) or in June-July (mean 1230 kg ha-1). In spring, the greatest increases in dry matter yield were from topdressing in August or September (1600 and 1210 kg ha-1 respectively). Spring yields following application in other months were smaller but usually significantly greater than the yield of unfertilized pasture. The response to autumn application of superphosphate was much greater in winter than in spring. This was not due to a lower phosphorus requirement by the pasture in spring than in winter.

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