Losses in herbage and seed yields caused by subterranean clover mottle sobemovirus in grazed subterranean clover swards

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Ferris ◽  
RAC Jones

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown in swards into which small plants infected with subterranean clover mottle sobemovirus (SCMoV) were transplanted. Initial spread was mainly to plants adjacent to infected transplants and occurred during grazing and trampling by sheep. New sites of infection subsequently formed away from the original infection sites. Spread occurred mainly in spring and its extent varied with cultivar, site and year. Final SCMoV incidence in swards ranged from 17% of plants infected by isolate MJ in cv. Karridale in 1993 to 60% by isolate P23 in cv. Dinninup in 1991. With cvv. Dinninup and Junee, in two experiments SCMoV-infection decreased yields within patches with symptoms by 11-26% (herbage) and 5-31% (seed); in one of these experiments infection decreased overall yields of herbage by 9-10% and seed by 10-31%. In an experiment with cvv. Dalkeith and Woogenellup, SCMoV-induced overall herbage yield decreases of 10-13% were recorded despite extensive virus spread to control swards; yield losseswithin affected patches were 20-28% for herbage and 19% for seed. In an experiment with cw. Karridale and Woogenellup, SCMoV-induced yield losses within patches with symptoms were 38-44% for herbage and 15-41% for seed. Decreased seed size (mean seed weight) and fewer seeds both contributed to the diminished seed yields. Estimates of the effects of different levels of SCMoV infection on herbage yields were obtained for cv. Woogenellup by plotting dry weight data from (i) individual quadrats against percent plants with symptoms within them and (ii) whole plots against percent plot infection determined by ELISA. Losses increased in proportion to the level of infection. SCMoV infection of subterranean clover pastures not only decreases the feed available but also the seed bank which, when compounded over several years, leads to pasture deterioration. Heavy grazing, reseeding the pasture with susceptible cultivars and extended growing seasons are all likely to magnify SCMoV-induced losses.

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAC Jones

During 1989-92, subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown in field experiments in which swards of six cultivars were infected with bean yellow mosaic potyvirus (BYMV) by transplanting small BYMV-infected subterranean clover plants into them. The swards were then grazed by sheep or mown to simulate grazing. The infected transplants were the primary virus source for subsequent spread by aphids. Spread initially centred on infected transplants resulting in circular expanding infected patches. Later, secondary patches, isolated affected plants and more generalized infection sometimes developed. The extent of spread within swards from the transplants varied with cultivar, BYMV isolate, site and year. Final BYMV incidence ranged from 12% of plants symptom-affected by isolate MI in cv. Junee in 1991 to 100% by isolate SMB in cv. Leura in 1992. BYMV spread mostly occurred in spring and was increased around the edges of areas of bare ground in swards. In two experiments at one site in which 'mini swards' of cvv. Green Range, Karridale and Leura were mown repeatedly, BYMV-infection decreased herbage yields (dry weights) by 12-16% while seed yields were decreased significantly (by 37-40010) in one experiment. In a grazing experiment at a second site with swards of cvv. Esperance and Karridale, BYMV-infection decreased overall yields of herbage by 18-39% and seed by 11-12%; herbage yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 28-49%. In a further grazing experiment at this site with swards of cvv. Junee and Karridale, BYMV-induced losses determined from symptom-affected patches were 21-29% for herbage and 15-25% for seed. In a grazing experiment with swards of cvv. Denmark and ~ e u r a ' at a third site, BYMV-induced overall herbage yield decreases of 8-12% were still recorded despite extensive BYMV spread to control swards; yield losses within symptom-affected patches were 18-25% for herbage and 35-47% for seed. Seed yield losses were due to decreased seed size (mean seed weight), fewer seeds being produced, or both. Estimates of the effects of different levels of BYMV infection on herbage yields in partially infected grazed swards were obtained for cvv. Denmark, Karridale and Leura by plotting individual quadrat data for herbage dry weights against % symptom-affected plants. Losses increased in proportion to the level of infection, but their magnitude also varied with cultivar and experiment. It is concluded that BYMV infection of subterranean clover pastures is cause for concern, not only as regards herbage yield losses but also as regards depletion of the seed bank, which, when compounded year by year, results in pasture deterioration. Early and prolonged aphid activity, reseeding the pasture with susceptible cultivars, heavy grazing and extended growing seasons are all likely to magnify BYMV-induced losses.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1597 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Wroth ◽  
RAC Jones

In 1989 and 1990, infection with subterranean clover mottle sobemovirus (SCMV) was widespread in subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) pastures in the south-west of Western Australia. The virus was detected in 61% of the pastures sampled and incidences of infection ranged from 1 to 50%. The virus was more common in old pastures than in pastures resown with newer cultivars during the preceeding 5 year period. When 12 isolates of SCMV were inoculated to subterranean clover plants grown in the glasshouse, symptoms varied from mild to severe. SCMV isolates P23 and F4 decreased the herbage dry weight of cw. Daliak and Woogenellup grown in plots as spaced plants by 81-88% while the Type isolate caused losses of 92%. By contrast, losses were 37-49% with cv. Karridale, a cultivar in which systemic infection was either delayed or prevented during winter. Infection decreased seed yield by c. 90% in cvv. Karridale and Woogenellup with all three isolates; seed weight was decreased 21-55%. A small proportion of cv. Woogenellup transplants outgrew the infection in new shoots during late spring to produce abundant healthy foliage. SCMV seed transmission rates in seed collected from infected transplants of cv. Woogenellup were 0.06, 0.07 and 0.43% for the Type, P23 and F4 isolates respectively. It was concluded that SCMV was present in most pastures, but at low incidences, and that it persists in them from year to year. Extended growing seasons and hard grazing are likely to increase its incidence.


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
DJ Conlan ◽  
MF Richards ◽  
NE Coombes

The tolerance of 6 cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) to simazine applied at 0.63 and 1.25 kg a.i./ha was determined under weedfree conditions in the field by measuring herbage and seed yields. Large herbage yield losses occurred as a result of the simazine in spring in the 2 years of the experiments. In 1989, spring herbage yield losses of the cultivars at the 0.63 and 1.25 kg/ha simazine rates averaged 56 and 82%, respectively. In 1990 the spring herbage yield losses were 27 and 51%. Significant variation in tolerance was observed between cultivars in both years, with Trikkala being the most tolerant and Karridale the most susceptible cultivar. Rate of herbicide had the greatest effect on herbage yield, with cultivar having a smaller effect. In 1989, with relatively favourable spring conditions, clover seed yields were depressed by simazine, but in 1990 when drier conditions prevailed during flowering and seed set, seed yields were unaffected or slightly increased by simazine in all cultivars except the early-flowering cultivar Dalkeith. Seed yields of simazine-treated swards were 196-1480 kg/ha in 1989 and 359-686 kg/ha in 1990. The seed yield response in 1990 suggests that herbicides which retard growth in winter help to conserve soil water and, therefore, may benefit seed filling later in the season. The presence of Lolium rigidum at spraying did not reduce the effect of the herbicide on clover herbage yield and had no effect on seed set. Although simazine may reduce herbage yields and, in some cases, seed yields, its use may be justified for the control of annual grasses when other factors such as disease control, pasture quality, and level of weed competition are considered.


1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Leys ◽  
B Plater

The effectiveness of tank mixes of simazine plus paraquat, and simazine plus fluazifop-P, for control of annual grass weeds in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) pastures was compared in 6 field experiments in southern New South Wales between 1989 and 1991. Mixtures of simazine (500-750 g a.i./ha) plus very low rates of paraquat (40-60 g a.i./ha) gave better than 90% control of vulpia [Vulpia bromoides (L.) S. F. Gray and V. myuros (L.) C. C. Gmelin], barley grass (Hordeum leporinum Link), annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.), and great brome (Bromus diandrus Roth) and were at least as effective as mixtures of simazine plus fluazifop-P (53-106 g a.i./ha). Subterranean clover plant density was not affected by any treatment. Excellent control of grasses caused increased subterranean clover dry matter yields at 1 site and no differences at another site. In weed-free conditions, 12 of 21 herbicide treatments damaged subterranean clover (severe leaf burn and retarded growth) and significantly (P<0.05) reduced dry weight, but this was not reflected in subsequent seed yields.


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.


1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black

This paper describes two experiments analysing the recovery from defoliation of subterranean clover varieties grown in swards in large seed boxes at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, Adelaide. The first experiment examined the way in which the six common commercial varieties recovered from a single severe defoliation, and showed that under these conditions they can be placed in three groups: Yarloop and Clare are tall, high-yielding varieties with few, large leaves, recovering slowly from defoliation; Tallarook and Dwalganup are prostrate varieties, lower-yielding, with many small leaves, recovering rapidly after defoliation; Bacchus Marsh and Mount Barker are intermediate in all respects. In the second experiment mixed swards of equal numbers of Yarloop and Tallarook plants were grown under three treatments: A, no defoliation; B, defoliated twice at a height which removed the higher Yarloop canopy but left the lower Tallarook plants untouched; C, defoliated twice at a height which removed the canopies of both varieties. Measurement of dry weight on four occasions after each defoliation showed that in the undefoliated treatment, all Tallarook plants died by the end of the experiment. In the defoliated treatments, the removal of the Yarloop canopy resulted in only a temporary improvement in the illuniination in which the Tallarook plants grew, and their dry weight and plant numbers progressively declined. Dry weight changes in the Tallarook component were shown to be dependent on the light energy available to it, which was in turn determined by the light-absorbing capacity of the superior Yarloop canopy. In mixed swards, the ability of Yarloop to re-establish quickly a leaf canopy above that of Tallarook appeared to explain its success when defoliated.


1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black

Three strains of subterranean clover differing in leaf development were grown in pure swards and in all combinations in mixtures. The strain Yarloop has relatively few large leaves held on long petioles; Tallarook has many small leaves and short petioles; Bacchus Marsh is intermediate in all these respects. The swards were grown in boxes and were sampled on four occasions during the period of vegetative growth. Leaf area in each 2 cm layer of the sward was determined separately, and for both strains in the mixed swards, and measurements of the light intensity reaching each layer were obtained. Root weights were determined for all swards and separately for each component of the mixed swards. Examination of the dry weights showed that the growth of the strain having the lesser petiole elongation was suppressed. In the extreme instance Tallarook was so suppressed when grown with Yarloop that in the final inter-sampling period it grew completely in the dark, and lost about half its dry weight. Bacchus Marsh also suppressed Tallarook, but to a lesser extent, while Bacchus Marsh was itself suppressed in competition with Yarloop. The amount of light energy intercepted by the two components of the mixed swards was calculated from the leaf area and light profiles, and confirmed the importance of the spatial distribution of leaves in plant competition. It was concluded that, in the absence of defoliation, the success of a strain under competition was associated with its potential petiole elongation.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 783 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ Collins

The effects of length of growing season and defoliation on seed yield and hard-seededness were examined in two strains of subterranean clover (Seaton Park, Midland B) grown in swards in the field. All plots were sown at the same time and the length of growing season was varied by altering the time of finish of the season (by withholding water). There were three length of growing season treatments: T1 (short), T2 (intermediate) and T3 (control). The defoliation treatments were D0, uncut (control), and D1, defoliated at weekly intervals until the commencement of flowering. Reducing the length of growing season drastically reduced seed yield. Thus when the growing season was only 3 weeks shorter than the control (i.e. T2 compared with T3), seed yields averaged over strains and defoliations were reduced by at least one half. With a further reduction of 2 weeks in the length of the season (T1) seed yields were only about one-third of those obtained in the control (T3). The reductions in seed yield were due to reductions in both the number of mature burrs produced and to a lesser extent in mean weight per seed. Although defoliation increased seed yield in all growing seasons, the effect when measured on a relative scale was greater in T2 than in either T1 or T3. But on an absolute scale the size of the response was greater in T2 and T3 than in T1. The rate of breakdown of hard-seededness was faster in Seaton Park than in Midland B, but it decreased in both strains with increasing length of growing season.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Reuter ◽  
AD Robson ◽  
JF Loneragan ◽  
DJ Tranthim-Fryer

Effects of severe and moderate copper deficiency on the development of leaves and lateral branches, on the distribution of dry weight within the plant, and on seed yield of Seaton Park subterranean clover were assessed as part of three glasshouse experiments. Copper deficiency markedly depressed top and root growth without producing any distinctive symptoms. It retarded phasic development by delaying development of leaves and lateral branches, senescence of plant parts, and flowering: it also depressed the proportion of stem plus petiole in plant tops and decreased internode elongation, pollen fertility and the number of burrs and seeds formed. As a result of its effect in delaying flowering, copper deficiency would depress seed production particularly strongly when low soil water supply shortens the growing season. The need for suitable procedures for diagnosing copper deficiency is emphasized by the lack of specific plant symptoms in this species.


1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Ozanne ◽  
KMW Howes

The effects of four common fertilizers containing calcium on seed production in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were measured at six locations over five years in a total of fifteen field experiments. Calcium as a sulphate, carbonate or phosphate salt was applied to subterranean clover pastures either at the start of the growing season (autumn) or at flowering (spring). Gypsum, plaster of Paris, or lime gave large increases in seed yield per unit area and also per unit weight of tops. Spring applications of superphosphate increased seed yields in only two out of four experiments. Gypsum applied in spring at 200-500 kg ha-1 was as effective as 2,000 kg ha-1 of lime applied in autumn. Applications of lime in spring were much less effective. Increased seed yields were due to increases in burr yield, seed number per burr, and mean weight per seed. They were usually accompanied by increases in calcium concentration in the seed. Responses in seed production to calcium applications were obtained in all three sub-species of Trifolium subterraneum. In two experiments, newly sown on a soil type on which subterranean clover regeneration and persistence is commonly very poor, applied calcium doubled or quadrupled seed set. In 13 experiments using soils on which subterranean clover had persisted as the major component of the pasture for several years, calcium in the year of application increased the total seed bank by 6 to 31 per cent, and the current seed set by a greater amount.


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