Flooding tolerance of some Western Australian pasture legumes

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (27) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Marshall ◽  
AJ Millington
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Seed Colour ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Free Drainage ◽  
Western Australian

The effect of flooding on several varieties of clover was studied in three separate experiments. In experiment 1 ten cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), two of strawberry clover (T. fragiferum), two of white clover (T. repens) and Serradella (Ornithopus sativa) were subjected to two flooding treatments 77 days after planting. With the water table at ground level, herbage yields were not significantly less than those of unflooded plants in Yarloop, N2254, Yabba North, Wenijup, Palestine, and Salina and New Zealand white clovers, hut there were significant decreases in yield in N2167, N2168, Clare, Geraldton, Mt. Barker, Morocco, Ladino, and Serradella. When the water table was raised to three inches above ground level, all the cultivars had significantly lower herbage and root yields than the control plants. Overall, Yarloop appeared to be the most productive under both of the flooding treatments. In experiment 2 Yarloop and Geraldton clovers were flooded at three different stages of growth (one third eleven days after planting, one third sixty days after planting, and one third 86 days after planting). Flooding lasted 21 days then half of each group was harvested and the other half allowed to grow for a further 14 days under free drainage before harvesting. Both Geraldton and Yarloop were affected most by flooding sixty days after planting. Nodulation was delayed in the plants that were flooded eleven days after planting, but commenced once the soil was allowed to drain freely. In experiment 3, eight Yarloop crosses were flooded three inches above ground level for 21 days, 80 days after planting. The crosses were subdivided on seed colour. Flooding reduced yield in all crosses except Yarloop x Yabba Noah brown seed and Yarloop x Mt. Barker brown seed. The data suggest that breeding for greater tolerance to flooding may be practicable.

The productivity of irrigated legumes in northern Victoria. 3. Frequency and intensity of defoliation of subterranean clover

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1587 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Ground Seed ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Seed Yields

An experiment was undertaken to consider the effects of a range of defoliation treatments on aspects of the productivity of a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) sward (predominantly cv. Trikkala), with particular emphasis on flowering and seed production. There were 2 heights of defoliation, 2.8 and 7.0 cm (rising plate meter) above ground level, and at each height of defoliation, there were 4 intervals of harvest, 4, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. Treatments were arranged randomly within blocks, and there were 4 replicates. Harvests were conducted between autumn (6 April) and spring (13 November). The total production of herbage varied from 5.7 to 8.7 t DM/ha of harvested material, with variations in response due to both height and frequency of defoliation. Harvested yield increased from 6.2 to 7.4 t DM/ha (P<0.05) as interval between harvests was extended, and plots harvested to 2.8 cm above ground level yielded more (7.7 t DM/ha; P<0.05) harvested herbage than those harvested to 7.0 cm (6.0 t DM/ha). While there were differences in production due to defoliation management, nutritive characteristics (DM digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre) of harvested herbage were similar in all treatments throughout the year. Production of above and below ground seed increased (P<0.05) as interval between harvest increased, and was greater (P<0.05) at the higher defoliation height. Defoliating at 4- and 6-week intervals interrupted the reproductive development of Trikkala; late September–early October harvests substantially reduced both subsequent petiole extension and flower production. This resulted in Trikkala seeds of lower weight in the above ground seed pool (P<0.05). This may have impacted on regenerating ability in the next autumn because Trikkala seeds that were less than about 4 mg in weight were less likely to germinate than heavier seed. In conclusion, the highest dry matter production occurred with intensive, infrequent defoliation whereas highest seed yields were produced with lax, infrequent defoliation.

Flower initiation in pasture legumes. I. Factors affecting flower initiation in Trifolium subterraneum L.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Cold Period ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Temperature Level ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Precise Knowledge

The value of the annual legume Trifolium subterraneum L. (subterranean clover) in Australian agriculture warrants more precise knowledge of factors affecting flowering and prolific seeding. The effect of temperature and photoperiod on flower initiation in early and later flowering varieties has been investigated in an effort to determine the geographical limits of the use of subterranean clover in Australia. At any time of sowing, the length of the growing season of a variety depends greatly on the variety's response to the temperature level and to the photoperiod of the first few weeks after germination. In all varieties of subterranean clover so far examined flower initiation is accelerated by a period of low temperature. In the later varieties, flower initiation is prevented by an insufficient period of low temperature. The length of the necessary cold period is shortened under longer photoperiod. Early varieties are early flowering because they do not require so long a cold period or so low a temperature as late varieties.

Nitrogenase Activity by Subterranean Clover and Other Temperate Pasture Legumes

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Davey ◽  
RJ Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Root Respiration ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Acetylene Reduction Activity ◽  
Diffusion Resistance ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Reduction Activity ◽  
Decline Rate ◽  
Nodulated Root

Nitrogenase (C2H2-reduction) activity and nodulated root respiration of intact plants of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cv. Seaton Park nodulated by Rhizobium trifolii WU95 were measured in a flow-through system. Simultaneous declines in nitrogenase activity and respiration were exhibited 2 min after 10% C2H2 had been introduced into the gas stream. Declines in nitrogenase activity and nodulated root respiration provided an estimate of the efficiency of nitrogenase activity (mol CO2 evolved/mol C2H4 produced). The pre-decline rate of nitrogenase activity at time zero was thus calculated as the product of the respiration associated with nitrogenase activity and the reciprocal of the efficiency of nitrogenase activity. Pre-decline rates of nitrogenase activity were similar to peak rates for several pasture legumes. However, post-decline rates of activity were as much as 70% lower than the pre-decline rate. The age of subterranean clover plants had an important influence on the magnitude of the C2H2-induced decline; young plants exhibited the largest C2H2-induced inhibition of nitrogenase activity. Neither sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) cv. Othello nodulated by Rhizobium sp. CC1108 nor yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus L.) cv. Pitman nodulated by R. lupini WU425 exhibited C2H2-induced declines in nitrogenase activity. Nitrogenase-linked respiration of subterranean clover at the 14-leaf stage accounted for 50% of total nodulated root respiration. The oxygen diffusion resistance of the nodules increased in the presence of C2H2 but the effect was reversible once C2H2 was removed from the gas atmosphere. The pre-decline rate of acetylene reduction activity of subterranean clover reached a maximum at 10% C2H2. The C2H2-induced decline in nitrogenase activity was lower at subsaturating pC2H2 and was not detected at 0.4% C2H2.

Genetic variability in Seaton Park subterranean clover

1985 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
WJ Collins ◽  
Y Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Golf Course ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Predominant Genotype ◽  
Isozyme Patterns ◽  
Commercial Strain ◽  
Western Australian

Single plants of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were grown from seed of 13 commercial Seaton Park seed samples and of five pastures sown to Seaton Park at least 8 years previously. Most populations had several variants of Seaton Park, though the predominant genotype was that usually considered to be the Seaton Park strain - herein differentiated as Western Australian Seaton Park (W.A.S.Pk). The original Seaton Park - from the Royal Adelaide Golf Course in South Australia - differed slightly but clearly in several characters, including some seed isozyme patterns, from W.A.S.Pk. It was present in half of the populations, but at low frequencies (1-6% of the total). One genotype (strain S) comprised 20% or more of the populations from three commercial seed samples; it contained significant levels of the oestrogenic isoflavone formononetin. The origin of W.A.S.Pk remains unclear. The present commercial strain (cv. Seaton Park) is being re-built, based on W.A.S.Pk alone.

Transformation in soil and turnover to wheat of nitrogen from components of grazed pasture in the south of Western Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. Thompson ◽  
I. R. P. Fillery
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
N Mineralisation ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Wind Blow ◽  
Western Australian

Nitrogen (N) mineralisation from mature subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) shoots and roots and from sheep urine and faeces, and N uptake by wheat from the shoots, urine, and faeces, were determined with 15 N in a field study in the Western Australian wheatbelt. Treatments were applied to the soil surface of confined micro-plots in autumn and incorporated into soil immediately before wheat was sown in winter. Mature subterranean clover shoots containing 18 kg N/ha were applied to the soil surface, and root material containing 17 kg N/ha was mixed into soil. 15N-labelled urine and faeces were obtained from housed sheep fed 15N-labelled wheat straw and grain. Urine was applied at the rates of 151 and 301 kg N/ha, and faeces was added at the rate of 47 kg N/ha. There was a loss of 14% of shoot 15N in the 2 months this residue was on the soil surface, although very little mineralisation occurred. On the assumption that wind-blow caused the initial loss of 15N, 28% of shoot N mineralised in 6 months following incorporation of shoot residues into soil, and crop recovery was 11% of the 15N applied. N mineralisation from the mature roots was 26% in 6 months. NH3 volatilisation from urine, estimated by difference, was 25% for high urine (0·517 mL/cm2) and 33% for low urine (0·258 mL/cm2) application rates, the loss occurring in the first 2 weeks. Wheat uptake was 23% of the high urine 15N and 22% of the low urine 15N. Leaching losses from unplanted micro-plots were approximately 25-30% of urine 15N. In contrast, leaching losses from planted micro-plots were estimated to be approximately 10% of urine 15N. Approximately 30% of faecal N was mineralised and recovery of faeces N by wheat was 1% of applied 15N. The relative contributions of these components to N turnover in the ley pasture wheat rotation are discussed. It is concluded that assessments of the potential turnover of N in pastures to cropping phases need to consider the low rates of N mineralisation of above-ground herbage, the potential for supply of N from the total root system, the effect of grazing on NH3volatilisation, and consequent loss of N fixed by legumes.

Distribution of zinc and copper in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) grown in culture solutions supplied with graduated amounts of zinc

1958 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
DS Riceman ◽  
GB Jones
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Stages Of Growth

The distribution of dry weight and of zinc and copper at different stages of growth has been examined in Trifolium subterraneum L. var. Bacchus Marsh grown in culture solutions to which graduated amounts of zinc were added. Several characteristics of the growth of the plants were assessed quantitatively. Symptoms of zinc deficiency developed in cultures which were supplied with suboptimal amounts of zinc.

Studies on the nutrition of pasture plants in the south-west of Western Australia. I. The effect of copper, zinc and potassium on the growth of Dwalganup strain of Trifolium subterraneum L. on sandy soils

1951 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Economic Significance ◽  
Copper Zinc ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Effect Of Copper ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Pasture Plants

The results of pot-culture experiments and field trials designed to examine the effects of copper, zinc, and potassium on the growth of Dwalganup subterranean clover on a number of Western Australian soils are presented and discussed. Highly significant yield increases from application of one or more nutrients were observed on all soils examined. The effects of applied copper were greater in the second year than in the seeding year under deficiency conditions in the field. Significant interaction effects were observed only with copper and potassium. Maximum yields in two of the field trials were low even with application of all three nutrients. Reasons for this are suggested. Data on leaf area changes indicated that, in contrast to the increasing severity of potassium deficiency with age of the plant, both copper and zinc deficiency tended to diminish after the commencement of the flowering stage. The importance of such time trends in the interpretation of interaction effects is emphasized. The economic significance of the potassium problem is stressed and a number of aspects requiring investigation are outlined.

Long-term patterns of seed softening in some annual pasture legumes in a low rainfall environment

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
GB Taylor ◽  
MA Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Medicago Polymorpha ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Burr Medic ◽  
Growing Environment ◽  
Simulated Field ◽  
Favourable Environment

Annual rates of seed softening were determined from 4 lines of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha), 1 barrel medic (M. truncatula), and 1 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) grown at Merredin in the 1 year. Measurements were also made on one of the lines of burr medic grown in 2 other environments, Gnowangerup and Eneabba, in the same year. Burrs were placed on the soil surface at Merredin and the numbers of residual hard seeds determined each year for up to 5 years in this one environment. Patterns of softening of seeds from the same seed populations were also determined in a laboratory oven with a diurnal temperature fluctuation of 60/15�C. In the field, the softening rates of the 5 medics grown at Merredin were similar, averaging 21% of the original seeds each year for the first 4 years. Seeds of the burr medic grown in a more favourable environment at Eneabba were much slower to soften (averaging 14%); hence, hardseededness in these medics was influenced more by the growing environment than by genotype. More than half of the seeds of subterranean clover softened in the field over the first summer, with declining annual proportions thereafter. There were clear differences between the clover and medics in both pattern and rate of seed softening. The lower seed-softening rate of medics than of subterranean clover was more favourable for ley systems involving frequent cropping, especially in low rainfall areas. Treatment of seeds at 60/15�C simulated field softening for subterranean clover well but produced misleading results for the medics.

Breeding and farming system opportunities for pasture legumes facing increasing climate variability in the south-west of Western Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Revell ◽  
M. A. Ewing ◽  
B. J. Nutt
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
The South ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
South West ◽  
Annual Medics ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium

The south-west of Western Australia has experienced a declining trend in annual rainfall and gradual warming over the last 30 years. The distribution of rainfall has also changed, with lower autumn rainfall, patchy breaks to the season, and shorter springs. This has important implications for the productivity of legume pastures in the region, which is dominated by annual species, particularly subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), annual medics (Medicago spp.), serradella (Ornithopus spp.), and biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.). For annual pasture legumes, appropriate patterns of seed softening and germination behaviour, efficiency of phosphorus and potassium uptake, responses to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2, and drought resistance of seedlings and mature plants will assume increasing importance. While these traits can be targeted in pasture breeding programs, it will also be important to exploit farming system opportunities to optimise the annual legume component of the feed base. These opportunities may take the form of incorporating strategic shrub reserves and grazing crops to allow for pasture deferment in autumn–winter. Perennial forages may become more important in this context, as discussed in terms of the development of the perennial legume tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata C.H. Stirton).

The effect of copper supply on vegetative and seed yield of pasture legumes and the field calibration of a tissue test for detecting copper deficiency. I. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum and Trifolium yanninicum)

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 817 ◽  
Author(s):  
JD McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Copper Deficiency ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Leaf Tissue ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Pasture Legumes

Three cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cvv. Woogenellup, Nungarin; Trifolium yanninicum cv. Trikkala) were grown on three copper-deficient soil types at seven rates of copper, applied at sowing, to determine their vegetative and seed yield response to copper fertilizer.On two soil types, symptoms of copper deficiency were apparent where no copper was supplied. On the third, symptoms appeared only in one season, after the site was waterlogged. On the three soil types, the symptoms disappeared when 0.125 kg Cu/ha was applied at sowing. although at this rate vegetative and seed yields were reduced by as much as 44% and 59% respectively.The proposed critical concentration range in youngest open leaf tissue for both diagnosing maximum vegetative dry matter and predicting maximum seed yield is 3.0-4.5 mg Cu/kg for Woogenellup and Nungarin subterranean clover. Trikkala subterranean clover had higher critical concentration ranges for diagnosing maximum vegetative dry matter (4.0-6.0 mg Culkg) and predicting maximum seed yield (4.5-7.0 mg Cu/kg). It was not clear whether this difference was due to a higher internal requirement for copper of Trikkala or overlying environmental conditions affecting the external copper supply at the time of sampling.For whole top tissue (WT), there was no difference in the critical concentration range between the three cultivars for diagnosing maximum vegetative yield (3.0-4.0 mg Cu/kg). However, the critical concentration in WT for predicting maximum seed yield was higher for Trikkala (5.0-6.0 mg Cu/kg) than Woogenellup and Nungarin (3.5-4.5 mg Cu/kg). In the pasture situation, a critical concentration of 5.0-6.0 mg Cu/kg in the WT should be adopted when animal requirement is considered.Seed copper concentration for predicting maximum seed or vegetative yield was not a reliable indicator of copper status of subterranean clover.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document