Morphological characteristics and agronomic merit of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) populations collected from northern New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 985 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Lane ◽  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
J. V. Lovett ◽  
R. D. Murison
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Trifolium Repens L ◽  
Collection Sites

Aset of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) populations collected from old pasture sites in northern New South Wales was characterised in situ at the collection sites and under uniform glasshouse conditions, and then evaluated for agronomic merit in the field. The data were examined to determine whether ecotype development through genetic differentiation had occurred in these white clover populations, and to assess their potential value for future breeding. Environmental conditions at the collection sites represented a wide diversity of rainfall, altitude, soil type, companion grass, and grazing intensity conditions. The populations generally were found to be medium-leaf and mid- to late-flowering and derived from early New Zealand introductions to Australia. The populations showed significant (P < 0.05) variation in morphological characteristics (leaf size and stolon characters) and this variation was expressed in all 3 environments. It was concluded that significant genetic differentiation affecting stolon and flowering characteristics had occurred, with implications for agronomic value. A small cluster of the populations was found to possess useful characteristics for white clover breeding where persistence in dryland environments is the primary breeding objective.

Survey of the productivity, composition and estimated inputs of fixed nitrogen by pastures in central-western New South Wales

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
W. Smith ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
J. Brockwell
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales

Total productivity and legume nitrogen fixation (N2 fixation) in dryland pastures were examined in a 2 year study (1999–2001) on 118 farms in central-western New South Wales. Pasture exclosure cages, placed at 217 on-farm sites, were harvested on 7 occasions and the foliage hand-sorted according to species in order to measure shoot dry matter (DM). The separated legume shoot material collected in spring 1999 (52 different legume samples) and 2000 (76 different legume samples) from a subset of representative pastures (41 cages on 28 different farms in 1999, 32 cages on 25 different farms in 2000) was also analysed for concentration of nitrogen (%N) and 15N natural abundance. These data were subsequently used to calculate the proportion of the legume shoot N derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa), comparative measures of the relative efficiency of N2 fixation (kg N fixed/t DM accumulated) and the amounts of shoot N fixed (kg N/ha). The survey encompassed 8 common pasture types, and 5 others that were less common, ranging from native perennial grass pastures with little legume content to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pastures with and without companion clovers. Fifteen legume species were found in the pastures, some only occasionally. Lucerne and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were the only perennials. Mean spring estimates of %Ndfa were similar in 1999 and 2000 for lucerne (72 and 81%, respectively), rose clover (T. hirtum All., 82 and 77%) and annual medics (Medicago spp., 89 and 86%). For the remaining 12 legume species, measures of %Ndfa ranged from 64 to 95% and averaged 83%. Shoot %N contents were greater for lucerne than for the other 14 legumes and this was reflected in the comparative measures of N2 fixation which ranged from 14.5 kg N/t DM for rose clover to 25.7 kg N/t DM for lucerne in 2000. The most productive pasture type comprised lucerne plus balansa clover [T. michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.], white clover or arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi), but all pasture types that contained lucerne were highly productive. Spring was the most productive season and summer the least. Lucerne was overwhelmingly the most productive legume and was responsible for >83% of the fixed N in those pastures that contained both lucerne and other legumes. Lucerne productivity was approximately uniform throughout the year whereas, for other pastures, especially those based on rose clover or subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.), there were sharp peaks in spring and little or no dry matter production over summer. The presence of lucerne in pastures significantly (P<0.05) reduced broadleaf weeds. It was concluded that, where there are requirements in central-western New South Wales agriculture for uniform forage production throughout the year and a high input of fixed N, lucerne is substantially superior to other species.

The role of stolons and seedlings in the persistence and production of white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Huia) in temperate pastures on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Archer ◽  
GG Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cool Temperate ◽  
Plant Frequency ◽  
Temperate Pastures

This paper reports the findings of a five-year study on the growth patterns, production and means of persistence of white clover in a cool temperate environment with summer dominant rainfall, on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. White clover essentially persisted as a perennial, but large and rapid declines in plant frequency occurred during late summer if soil moisture levels became depleted. The critical combination of conditions at which plant frequency was adversely affected occurred when available soil moisture levels declined below 35 mm and mean weekly maximum temperatures exceeded 20�C; conditions which often occur in late summer in this environment. During one prolonged period of moisture stress in the second spring and summer period of the study, all plants died. Regeneration was due to germination of seeds and seedling establishment, but plants subsequently persisted as perennials. Relationships were developed to predict the probability of survival of white clover over the range of temperatures and soil moistures recorded in these experiments. Germination occurred to a variable extent each year, but was observed only during winter and spring. Seedling establishment was effective in only one year, which followed the death of white clover in summer, 1980-81. The sward was slow to recover after seedling regeneration owing to low winter temperatures and competition from established temperate perennial grasses in spring. Seedlings contributed little to dry matter production in spring. These results indicate that white clover is unlikely to be of value as an annual in temperate pastures. Strategies aimed at improving white clover in cool temperate environments, either by management or selection/breeding programs, should therefore focus upon improving the ability of white clover to persist as a perennial.

Production of two species and two interspecific hybrids of phalaris under irrigation in south-west New South Wales

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (103) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Read ◽  
JV Lovett
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Interspecific Hybrids ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Paspalum Dilatatum ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
South West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Production

Two phalaris hybrids (Siro 11 46 and allopolyploid) and the parent lines (Phalaris aquatica and P. arundinacea) were compared in monoculture with nitrogen fertilizer and in a mixed sward with white clover and lucerne. The experiment was flood irrigated and the effects of defoliating the swards at intervals of 21, 42 and 84 days were measured. The hybrid (Siro 11 46) was the most productive genotype at all defoliation intervals. Eighty one % of its annual yield occurred in spring and summer. This production imbalance renders Siro 11 46 unsuitable as the foundation of a pasture for high production throughout the year. The mixed sward produced more than the monoculture sward when defoliated every 21 or 42 days and there was increased production associated with increased defoliation interval. The monoculture sward was more productive than the mixed sward at an 84 day defoliation interval. The yield of Siro 1146 + white clover was 2.25 t ha-1 per 84 days, compared with a mean yield of phalaris + white clover of 1.78 t ha-1 per 84 days for the three other genotypes. The results indicate that Siro 11 46 grown with white clover and defoliated approximately every 42 days would be a suitable alternative pasture to Paspalum dilatatum and white clover in the two-pasture system used in irrigation areas of southern New South Wales. The problems of low acceptability and suspected toxicity of Siro 1146 are discussed.

Growth of pasture species on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Lazenby ◽  
JV Lovett
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Available Soil Moisture ◽  
Capacitance Probe

The production of herbage by five pasture species—Phalaris tuberosa (phalaris), Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue), Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Medicago sativa (lucerne)—was measured when they were grown in the field in monoculture, and by phalaris and white clover when grown in mixture. The plots were irrigated to prevent water deficits, and five levels of nitrogen were included; the mixture was also grown under dryland conditions. All plots were defoliated at intervals during a period of 3 years. A capacitance probe was used in an attempt to determine harvest times more objectively, and to establish long-term relationships between meter readings and components of plant yield. Major differences in production were detected between the species, lucerne producing most in the first 2 years of the experiment. Nitrogen and available soil moisture affected both production and botanical composition, and significant differences were detected in species' responses to applied nitrogen and in nitrogen recovery. The performance of lucerne and tall fescue suggests that both species deserve to be more widely grown on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

The effect of proportion of sown grasses on pasture and animal production from fertilised pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
GG Robinson ◽  
PM Dowling
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture

Pasture and animal production from fertilised pastures with varying proportions of sown grass (0-60%) were recorded and compared. The presence of sown grass increased pasture production when compared to natural pasture, but no difference was detected in liveweight or wool production between the var- ious pastures. It is doubtful whether sowing of introduced grasses for wool production can be justified at the levels of grazing intensity usually adopted on the Northern Tablelands.

Variation among low rainfall white clover (Trifolium repens L.) accessions for morphological attributes and herbage yield

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
MZZ Jahufer ◽  
M Cooper ◽  
LA Lane
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
New South ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Morphological Attributes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Herbage Yield ◽  
Passport Data ◽  
Collection Sites

The importance of passport data on rainfall at collection sites of accessions as a guide to identifying germplasm to be used in the genetic improvement was assessed by using 40 white clover accessions from the germplasm collection at Glen Innes, New South Wales. This set together with 2 standard cultivars, Haifa and Huia, were evaluated in the field. The objectives were to: (i) estimate the magnitude of genotypic variation among accessions for morphological attributes and herbage yield in a dryland summer rainfall environment; and (ii) compare estimates of genotypic variation for, and correlations among, the attributes and herbage yield for the 40 accessions with results from a study based on a random sample of accessions from the same collection. Herbage yield was measured in 4 seasons (autumn 1992-summer 1993) together with stolon and other plant attributes which were measured in 1 season (summer 1993). There was significant (P<0.05) variation for herbage yield among accessions. Hierarchical agglomerative classification was used to group the accessions based on herbage yield. This identified a single member group with greater herbage yield than the 2 groups which contained the cultivars Haifa and Huia. There was no association between the composition of the accession groups identified by classification and the passport data on average annual rainfall at the collection sites of accessions. There was some consistency between the estimates of repeatability, genotypic variation and genotypic correlations obtained from the low rainfall set of accessions used in this study and the random sample previously examined. It was concluded that selection of accessions from the collection for use in genetic improvement of herbage yield and the morphological attributes for dryland summer rainfall environments of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. should not be confined to specific groups originating from low rainfall regions.

Genotypic variation among sites within eleven Australian native grasses

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Waters ◽  
G. Melville ◽  
A. Grice
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Genotypic Differences ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
South Wales

Eleven species of native grass were collected from 51 sites throughout western New South Wales and south-west Queensland. Approximately 10 whole plants of each species were collected from a site but not all species were collected from each site. Plants were grown in a common environment at Trangie in central western New South Wales and plant morphological and floristic characteristics measured. Data reported here are for observations made in the third year, by which time differences between populations were likely to be more genetic than environmental. Principal component and discriminant analyses revealed a strong relationship between site of origin and plant morphological characteristics, which explained between 61% and 93% of the variation within species. For all but one species, site was significantly correlated with these morphological characteristics. Site could be predicted from morphological characters with a success rate usually greater than 80%. These morphological characteristics must reflect genotypic differences among the collection from the different sites. We were unable to relate this variation to any of a range of site characteristics. Distance between sites could not be used as an indicator of morphological differences between populations. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of providing strong evidence for the existence of ecotypes and for obtaining appropriate seed sources for revegetation/restoration programs.

Productivity of pasture legumes and chicory in central New South Wales

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
D. L. Michalk ◽  
M. Goodacre
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
South Wales

Seven experiments were established across a range of environments (latitude 33°S) in central New South Wales to evaluate 52 legume cultivars and lines against currently recommended cultivars. Plots were grazed by either sheep or cattle after each harvest. Criteria for inclusion were that lines were either commercially available or in the process of being registered. Three experiments also included chicory. Sites had from 600 to 900 mm annual rainfall and were at altitudes of 440–1000 m. The 4-year program included the dry summer of 1990–91. White clover and subterranean clover were the most productive species over time. Among subterranean clovers, the subspecies subterraneum cultivars were more productive than the yanninicum or brachycalycinum subspecies. Other species such as balansa, Persian, strawberry, red and crimson clovers, lotus major and murex medic were more variable in production. These legumes often grew well in the establishment year, but failed to persist. Lucerne was in general, not as productive as white or subterranean clover. Caucasian clover and yellow serradella should be evaluated further as conclusive judgements could not be formed. Chicory was often the most productive species in the experiments, especially over the warmer 6 months of the year. It persisted under a 6-week harvest regime and during the drought year. The newer subterranean clover cultivars, Leura, Goulburn and Denmark all exceeded the production from the previously recommended cultivars, Woogenellup and Karridale, even though no major disease was evident in the later group. The lines 89820D and 89841E were sufficiently productive to warrant further evaluation and possible development as cultivars. In contrast, while Huia, Tahora, Bonadino and Tamar were often as productive as the recommended white clover cultivar Haifa, they were not consistently better. Where summer rainfall occurs and the annual rainfall exceeds 650 mm, the greater potential yield of white clover compared with subterranean clover justifies its use. However, no white clover cultivars survived the summer drought in 1990–91 as intact plants. Further work is needed to develop more drought-tolerant cultivars.

Phosphorus efficiency in pasture species. V. A comparison of white clover accessions

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Godwin ◽  
GJ Blair
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
Soil Phosphorus ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Phosphorus Efficiency ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
P Efficiency ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Trifolium Repens L ◽  
Extractable Soil

Seed collections of 'naturalized' white clover (Trifolium repens L.) accessions, believed to have been derived from a Dutch 'wild white' clover introduced into the Northern Tablelands area of New South Wales were made. The collections were made from areas with low, high, and intermediate concentrations of extractable soil phosphorus. In a controlled environment pot experiment, the shoot and root growth and P uptake of each of these accessions was compared over a range of six P rates to three commercially available accessions-Ladino, Grasslands Huia, and Haifa and an accession from Algeria. Various methods of determining the efficiency of ultilization of P were examined. By all methods studied, Ladino generally was more efficient at utilizing applied P. Ladino produced a larger shoot biomass and greater length of root than other accessions, had a higher P uptake, and was more efficient in utilizing this P for the synthesis of biomass. The rankings of the clover accessions in terms of P efficiency changed according to the definition used. The study suggests that some scope exists for selection for P efficiency in clover accessions.

Effects of waterlogging and soil salinity on irrigated agriculture in the Murray Valley: a review

1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 761 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Grieve ◽  
E Dunford ◽  
D Marston ◽  
RE Martin ◽  
P Slavich
Keyword(s):  
Soil Salinity ◽  
White Clover ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Loss Coefficients

A physical model was used to assess the effects of surface waterlogging and soil salinity on the productivity of winter cereals and irrigated dairy pastures on irrigation farms in the Berriquin and Wakool Irrigation Districts of the Murray Valley region of New South Wales. Parameters describing the physical properties of major soil types were combined with statistically derived estimates of rainfall excess over evapotranspiration to establish the incidence of waterlogging. Soils predisposed to waterlogging occupy 150000 ha of Berriquin District (45% of District) and 24 800 ha of Wakool District (73%). Estimates of yield losses from waterlogging ranged from 12.5% in annual subterranean clover-based pastures, 20% in winter cereals, to 25% for perennial ryegrass-white clover pastures. The relationships between yield and soil salinity were determined for barley, wheat, white clover, subterranean clover, and irrigated annual and perennial pastures growing under existing management practices in shallow watertable areas of the 2 Districts. Response functions were applied to soil salinity frequency distributions to derive production loss coefficients. Surveys showed that average soil salinities were lower in Berriquin than in Wakool. In 1984, 43% the soils in shallow watertable areas of Berriquin could be classed as saline, whereas, in 1982 the corresponding figure for Wakool was 72%. A further survey taken in 1984, 2 years after the inception of a deep drainage scheme, showed that saline soils in Wakool had decreased to 46% of the total area.We assessed economic losses associated with soil salinity and waterlogging by applying the derived loss coefficients to achievable yields for known production areas. Total annual losses for the 2 Districts exceeded $A13 million, or 16% of the 1984 value of the District's agricultural production. This figure underestimates real losses because we excluded livestock enterprises other than dairying, as well as summer cropping, from the study. Losses due to waterlogging ($A10 million overall) were more serious than those due to soil salinity (nearly $A4 million), particularly in Berriquin where shallow watertables were less extensive. In Wakool, 2 years' operation of the deep drainage scheme reduced losses due to soil salinity by $A750 000.Thus surface waterlogging and soil salinity cause serious economic losses in the irrigated areas of southern New South Wales. Research into appropriate techniques for on-farm irrigation management may reduce these losses, and delay further development of shallow watertables and soil salinisation, with sub of stantial economic and environmental benefits.

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