The early requirement for plant nutrients by subterranean clover seedlings (Trifolium subterraneum)

1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 879 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Krigel

Growth studies of subterranean clover seedlings grown in water culture solutions revealed that the seedlings quickly exhausted the seed supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The seedlings had depleted their initial mineral reserves and were in need of additional supplies within 7 days for calcium, approximately 10 days for phosphorus, 14 days for nitrogen and magnesium, and 21 days for potassium. Nitrogen-deficient plants recovered quickly after being transferred to a complete nutrient solution. Calcium-deficient plants did not recover. Plants grown in nutrient solution that lacked phosphorus had longer roots than those affected by deficiency of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, or magnesium. For the first 45 days after germination, seedlings in phosphorus-deficient solutions developed longer roots than control plants.

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiernan A. O'Rourke ◽  
Megan H. Ryan ◽  
Tim T. Scanlon ◽  
Krishnapillai Sivasithamparam ◽  
Martin J. Barbetti

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is a key pasture legume across southern Australia and elsewhere. Decline in subterranean clover pastures was first recognised in Australia during the 1960s and manifests as an increase in weeds and a decrease in desirable legume species. While both root disease and poor nutrition contribute to subterranean clover pasture decline, the relationships between root disease and nutrition have not been determined. The objective of this study was to define these relationships. Field experiments were undertaken to determine the nutritional and pathogen status of soils and subterranean clover from three Western Australian field sites. Subsequently, controlled environment experiments were undertaken to determine the relative severities of tap and lateral root disease and growth of plants when soil cores taken from these three field sites were amended with a complete nutrient solution or a range of individual macro- or micronutrient treatments. Application of a ‘Hoaglands’ complete nutrient solution decreased the severity of tap root disease by an average of 45% and lateral root disease by 32%. Amendment with K alone reduced the severity of tap root disease an average of 32%; while the application of N alone reduced the severity of tap root disease by 33% and lateral root disease by 27%. Application of Hoaglands, K, N or Zn increased shoot and root dry weight, while Mo only increased shoot dry weight. This is the first report to show that mineral nutrients can substantially ameliorate root disease in subterranean clover. The results demonstrate that while root disease limits plant growth, improvement in the nutritional status of nutrient-impoverished soils can significantly reduce root disease. There is significant potential to incorporate nutrient amendments into an integrated and more sustainable approach to better manage root disease and to increase productivity of pasture legumes where soils are inherently nutrient deficient in one or more nutrients.


1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (64) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
DW Barrett ◽  
GW Arnold ◽  
NA Campbell

Pastures containing subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and either Vulpia spp. or Bromus rigidus as the other major species were sprayed at 0, 0.07, 0.14 and 0.21 kg a.i. ha-1 of paraquat ion between June and early October in Western Australia. Spraying removed the grasses and produced pastures containing up to 95 per cent clover. Mid-winter applications were more effective in increasing clover content than those made in spring. These changes in botanical composition were evident in the year following spraying, but were less marked. Yields of dry matter were reduced by paraquat, especially 'in the period immediately following spraying. These losses tended to decline as the growing season progressed, but at the close they were still evident on the Bromus rigidus pasture sprayed in July. Yields at the end of the subsequent season were similar on all treatments. Paraquat applied in mid-August at 0.14 kg a.i. ha-1 to both pastures produced the greatest change in botanical composition with the minimum loss of yield. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were higher in mature herbage on paraquat treatments. Total yields of nutrients were similar between treatments because of reduced dry matter yield.


1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 464 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Loneragan ◽  
EJ Dowling

A study was made of the effects of calcium and hydrogen ions on the nodulation of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in water culture. A compound interaction was found. At pH 4.0 or less no nodules were formed at any calcium concentration. At a 0.01mM calcium concentration no nodules were formed at any pH used. Above these critical values, almost maximum nodulation could be obtained by an increase in either calcium concentration or pH, so that each factor was to a large degree replaceable by the other. Calcium and hydrogen ions in the range of concentrations which produced these marked interactions on nodulation had no measurable effect on plant growth (nitrate was supplied in solution). The effects of calcium and hydrogen ions on the growth of the Rhizobium strain used were also markedly different from their effects on nodulation. Hydrogen ions had a dominating effect on Rhizobium growth, while calcium ions had no effect at any pH and were required at most in trace amounts. Hydrogen ions depressed calcium uptake by the plants. It is suggested that, in the range of concentrations where they were replaceable, the effects of calcium and hydrogen ions on nodulation were through their influence on the level of calcium in the plants. It is concluded that the calcium requirement for nodulation of subterranean clover is higher than for growth of the host plant or for growth of Rhizobium.


1961 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 797 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Millikan

The results of a series of water culture experiments is reported in which the comparative effects of summer or winter conditions respectively on the growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. var. Dwalganup), red clover (T. pratense L. certified), white clover (T. repens L. 'mother strain' certified), cluster clover (T. glomeratum L.), suckling clover (T. dubium Sibth.), and barrel medio (Medicago tribuloides Desr. strain 173), in a complete nutrient solution and in solutions deficient in either potassium, phosphorus, or magnesium were studied. In the complete nutrient solution, the mean daily increment in dry weight (T+R) for each species was less in winter than in summer. Rates of growth (T+R) of red clover, white clover, cluster clover, and suckling clover were each reduced more by winter as compared with summer conditions than was that of barrel medic, while a similar comparison also showed that white clover and suckling clover were more affected than subterranean clover. For subterranean clover and barrel medic (T+R) differed little as between the summer and winter tests respectively, but (T+R) for red clover, white clover, cluster clover, and suckling clover was significantly depressed under winter conditions. Significant season X species interactions occurred. Differences in seasonal conditions had no effect on the percentage top of five of the species when grown in the complete nutrient solution, but in the sixth species (barrel medic) winter conditions when compared with summer conditions favoured top growth at the expense of root growth (i.e. increased percentage top). Within any species there was no significant seasonal effect on the depression in (T+R) caused by a deficiency of either potassium, phosphorus, or magnesium. Between species certain significant effects were unrelated to seasonal conditions for potassium or phosphorus deficiencies, but with magnesium deficiency significant species x season interactions occurred for (T+R). Within species, the mean effect of potassium deficiency in reducing percentage top in all tests was significant for white clover, barrel medic, and suckling clover, but the season x potassium level interaction was significant for cluster clover only. There were no significant differences between species. Phosphorus deficiency caused a significant reduction in percentage top within all species under both summer and winter conditions, but no significant season x phosphate level interaction occurred. The percentage top of white clover was reduced more than that of subterranean clover in summer, but not in winter. Magnesium deficiency produced a significant reduction in the percentage top of white clover and barrel medic in winter, but not in summer. The season x magnesium level interaction effect was significant for white clover. Several significant species x magnesium level interactions for percentage top were also recorded.


1955 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Delia Allen ◽  
Ireson W. Selman

Studies have been made of the effect of feeding adults of the Mustard Beetle, Phaedon cochleariae (F.), on diets of watercress leaves (Nasturtium officinale) taken from plants grown in water cultures of known nutrient composition.Significant reductions in egg-production were recorded when individual beetles were supplied with leaves deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or iron, as compared with the egg-production of the same beetles supplied with leaves from plants grown in complete-nutrient solution.A marked alteration in the rate of egg-production occurred within two or three days of changing the diet from “complete-nutrient” leaves to mineral-deficient leaves or vice versa.


2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge

Seedlings of 3 perennial grasses, Danthonia linkii Kunthcv. Bunderra, D. richardsonii Cashmore cv. Taranna(wallaby grasses), and Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirosa,were each grown in replacement series mixtures with seedlings ofTrifolium repens L. (white clover),Trifolium subterraneum L. var. brachycalycinum (Katzn.et Morley) Zorahy & Heller cv. Clare (subterraneanclover), and Lolium rigidum L. (annual ryegrass). Plantswere sown 5 cm apart in boxes (45 by 29 by 20 cm) at a density of 307plants/m2. Maximum likelihood estimates were usedto derive parameters of a non-linear competition model using the dry matterweights of perennial grasses and competitors at 3 harvests, approximately 168,216, and 271 days after sowing. Intra-plant competition was examined inmonocultures of each species, grown at plant spacings of 2, 5, and 8 cm apartwith plants harvested at the above times.Competition occurred in all perennial grass–competitor mixtures, exceptin those of each perennial grass with white clover and thephalaris–subterranean clover mixture (Harvest 1) and those withD. richardsonii and phalaris grown with white clover(Harvest 2). For D. richardsonii (Harvests 1 and 2) andD. linkii (Harvest 1 only) grown with white clover andthe phalaris–subterranean clover (Harvest 1), the two species in themixture were not competing. In the phalaris–white clover mixture, eachspecies was equally competitive (Harvests 1 and 2). These differences incompetition and aggressiveness reflected differences in individual plantweights in monocultures where there was an effect (P < 0.05) of species ondry matter weight per box, but no significant effect of plant spacing.These data indicated that for successful establishment,D. richardsonii and D. linkiishould not be sown in swards with either subterranean clover or white clover,or where populations of annual ryegrass seedlings are likely to be high.Phalaris was more compatible with both white clover and subterranean clover,but aggressively competed with by annual ryegrass.


2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Johnson ◽  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
P.J. Murray ◽  
X Zhang ◽  
I.M. Young

AbstractThis study investigated the ability of neonatal larvae of the root-feeding weevil, Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal, to locate white clover Trifolium repens L. (Fabaceae) roots growing in soil and to distinguish them from the roots of other species of clover and a co-occurring grass species. Choice experiments used a combination of invasive techniques and the novel technique of high resolution X-ray microtomography to non-invasively track larval movement in the soil towards plant roots. Burrowing distances towards roots of different plant species were also examined. Newly hatched S. lepidus recognized T. repens roots and moved preferentially towards them when given a choice of roots of subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. (Fabaceae), strawberry clover Trifolium fragiferum L. (Fabaceae), or perennial ryegrass Lolium perenneL. (Poaceae). Larvae recognized T. repens roots, whether released in groups of five or singly, when released 25 mm (meso-scale recognition) or 60 mm (macro-scale recognition) away from plant roots. There was no statistically significant difference in movement rates of larvae.


1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black

Changes in the pre-emergence distribution of dry matter in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) variety Bacchus Marsh were followed at 21°C, using three sizes of seed and three depths of sowing, ½, 1¼, and 2 in. Decreasing seed size and increasing depth of sowing both reduce the weight of the cotyledons a t emergence. Seed of the three sizes were sown a t three depths in pot culture a t staggered intervals so that emergence was simultaneous. Dry weight in the early vegetative stage was proportional to seed size, and total leaf area and leaf numbers showed similar trends. Plants of each seed size grew at the same relative rate. No effect of depth of sowing could be detected, and this was shown to be due to the cotyledon area a t emergence being constant for any given seed size, regardless of varying depth of sowing and hence of cotyledon weight. It was concluded that seed size in a plant having epigeal germination and without endosperm is of importance: firstly, in limiting the maximum hypocotyl elongation and hence depth of sowing, and secondly, in determining cotyledon area. Cotyledon area in turn influences seedling growth, which is not affected by cotyledon weight. Once emergence has taken place, cotyledonary reserves are of no further significance in the growth of the plants.


Author(s):  
H. Neave ◽  
C.H. Hewlett

The information contained in this paper is principally first-hand knowledge extending over a period of six years gained from personal experience from our own "Oakleigh" farm.


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