Sulfur requirements during early growth of Trifolium balansae, Trifolium subterraneum, Medicago murex, and Phalaris aquatica

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
PJ Randall
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Critical Values ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Critical Concentrations ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Nutrient Solutions

Sulfur (S) requirements for early growth were determined for 3 legumes (Trifolium balansae, T. subterraneum, Medicago murex) and 1 grass (Phalaris aquatica). Plants were grown in sand culture in a glasshouse and supplied with nutrient solutions containing 6 rates of S (1-32 �g/mL). Legumes were supplied with nitrogen (N) at 168 �g/mL, and phalaris with 28 or 168 pg N/mL. Plants were sampled twice, the second sampling coinciding with flowering of the legumes. Diagnostic indices [total S (St), HI-reducible S (sulfate-S), oxidised S (S6+)], and ratios (sulfate-S/St, S6+/St) were derived for whole shoots (WS), youngest open leaves (YOL) of legumes, and youngest expanded blades (YEB) of the grass. The largest responses to S by the legumes were made by balansa clover and murex medic, which both outyielded subterranean clover, but subterranean clover was the most efficient user of S and had the lowest external S requirement. Concentrations of S6+ were always higher than concentrations of sulfate-S, but the 2 were highly correlated and much lower than St. No S fraction or plant part sampled was consistently superior as an indicator of S status. The larger relative increases and sharper breaks in gradient of the relationships between yield and sulfate-S or S6+ compared with St were offset by their greater relative variability. All indices were subject to Piper-Steenbjerg effects, although these did not seriously affect the critical values. Critical values of St and S6+ in YOL, St in WS of balansa clover, and S, and S6+ in WS of subterranean clover changed little up to 60 days after sowing, but it was necessary to know plant age when assessing the S status of murex medic or phalaris. Critical concentrations of S, in phalaris were little affected by N supply, but critical concentrations of sulfate-S and S6+ were higher with 28 than 168 �g N/mL. Critical values for subterranean clover agreed well with previously published data.

A comparison of the potassium requirements during early growth of Lotus pedunculatus, Medicago murex, M. polymorpha, M. truncatula, Ornithopus compressus, Trifolium balansae, T. resupinatum, Pennisetum clandestinum, and Phalaris aquatica

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
PJ Randall
Keyword(s):  
Early Growth ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Pennisetum Clandestinum ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
High K ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
K Deficiency ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Nutrient Solutions

A comparison was made of 9 pasture species, some of which are coming into increasing use in Australia, for potassium (K) requirements and early growth. Plants were grown in sand culture in glasshouse experiments and were provided with nutrient solutions containing 7 rates of K (0-5 mmol/L), and nitrogen (12 mmol/L). Plants were sampled twice, the second sampling coinciding with flowering of most species. Symptoms indicating K deficiency were recorded, and diagnostic indices were derived for blades and petioles of the youngest open leaves (YOL), or for youngest expanded blades, and for whole shoots. Medicago murex and M. truncatula had the highest yield at the first sampling. Pennisetum clandestinum, Phalaris aquatica, and M. polymorpha had the highest yield at the second sampling and had a lower internal requirement for K than the remaining species, while Ornithopus compressus had the lowest yield. In all species except M. murex, critical K concentrations in whole shoots declined with plant age. Only in L. pedunculatus did the use of the YOL yield similar K concentrations at the 2 samplings. Ornithopus compressus was shown to have a low requirement for K and a high K efficiency, but it also showed poor scavenging ability. All plant parts sampled could be used to discriminate between K-deficient and K-sufficient plants. Critical K concentrations were higher in petioles than in blades of the YOL and, generally, were higher in whole shoots than in blades. The critical K concentrations derived for some species were similar to critical concentrations previously reported for other members of the same genera.

Critical potassium concentrations in Trifolium balansae, Medicago murex and Trifolium subterraneum as affected by sampling date

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
PJ Randall
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Critical Values ◽  
Good Discrimination ◽  
Critical Concentrations ◽  
K Deficiency ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Petiole Sap

Critical concentrations of potassium (K) for the diagnosis of K deficiency were derived for tissues of balansa clover (Trifolium balansae) cv. Paradana, murex medic (Medicago murex) cv. Zodiac, and subterranean clover (T. subterraneum) cv. Karridale. The legumes were grown for 2 seasons at 2 sites to which 7 rates of K fertiliser were applied in each season. Symptoms of K deficiency appeared on leaves of plants at both sites, where <50 kg K/ha had been applied. Diagnostic indices were obtained for K in the dry matter (DM) of blades and petioles of youngest open leaves (YOL) and of whole shoots, and for K in petiolar sap of the YOL. In all species, critical K concentrations in dry matter were initially high but decreased steadily as the season progressed. Critical values were highest for YOL petioles, and simllar for YOL blades and for whole shoots, with good discrimination between deficient and adequately supplied plants for K concentrations in these tissues. Critical concentrations (%) of K in DM of YOL laminae of balansa clover declined from 4.00 in May to 0.70 in November, of YOL petioles from 5.80 in May to 1.40 in October, and of whole shoots from 2.48 in July to 0.68 in November, while critical K concentration (�g/mL) in the YOL petiole sap declined from 1000 in May to 384 in November. The decline in critical K concentration (%) in DM of YOL laminae of murex medic was from 2.75 in May to 1.12 in September, of YOL petioles from 5.58 in May to 1.57 in September, and of whole shoots from 1.57 in July to 0.70 in November. Critical K concentrations (�g/mL) in murex medic petiole sap fell from 1000 in May to 471 in September. The decline in critical K concentrations in DM was related to date and was unaffected by rainfall before sampling, temperature, or sodium concentrations. Critical concentrations in DM of subterranean clover were similar to those in the literature for other cultivars. Critical concentrations in balansa clover agreed with those derived previously from glasshouse experiments. The test for K in petiolar sap was less satisfactory: the decline in critical concentration in sap was less consistent than that in DM, and the critical values for subterranean clover did not agree with published results.

Nitrogen fixation by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with varying densities of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.)

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
P. S. Cocks ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
A. B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Pure Culture ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The proportions of biologically fixed (Pfix) plant nitrogen (N) and the total amounts of N2 fixed by subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) growing in pure culture and in mixtures with different densities (5, 10, 20, or 40plants/m2) of newly sown phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were followed over 3 years in a field study using the 15N natural abundance technique. The amount of fixed N in subterranean clover was linearly related to shoot biomass. Over the 3-year period, subterranean clover fixed 23–34 kg N/t shoot biomass compared with 17–29 kg N/t shoot biomass in lucerne. Based on above-ground biomass, pure subterranean clover fixed 314 kg N/ha over the 3 years compared with 420–510 kg N/ha by lucerne–clover mixtures and 143–177 kg N/ha by phalaris–clover mixtures. The superior N2 fixation by the lucerneŒsubterranean clover mixtures was due to the N fixed by the lucerne and the presence of a higher subterranean clover biomass relative to that occurring in the adjacent phalaris plots. In the first year, 92% of subterranean clover shoot N was derived from fixation compared with only 59% of lucerne. The reliance of clover upon fixed N2 remained high (73–95%) throughout the 3 years in all swards, except in pure subterranean clover and lucerne in August 1996 (56 and 64%, respectively). Subterranean clover usually fixed a higher proportion of its N when grown in mixtures with phalaris than with lucerne. The calculated Pfix values for lucerne (47–61% in 1995 and 39–52% in 1996) were consistently lower than in subterranean clover and tended to increase with lucerne density. Although lucerne derived a lower proportion of its N from fixation than subterranean clover, its tissue N concentration was consistently higher, indicating it was effective at scavenging soil mineral N. It was concluded that including lucerne in wheat-belt pastures will increase inputs of fixed N. Although lucerne decreased subterranean clover biomass, it maintained or raised Pfix values compared with pure subterranean clover swards. The presence of phalaris maintained a high dependence on N2 fixation by subterranean clover, but overall these swards fixed less N due to the lower clover herbage yields. Perennial and annual legumes appear compatible if sown in a mix and can contribute more N2 to the system than where the annual is sown alone or with a perennial grass. These findings suggest that increases in the amount of N2 fixed can be achieved through different legume combinations without interfering greatly with the N fixation process. Different combinations may also result in more efficient use of fixed N2 through reduced leaching. Further work looking at combinations of annuals possibly with different maturity times, different annual and perennial legume combinations, and pure combinations of perennial (e.g. lucerne) could be investigated with the aim of maximising N2 fixation and use. Grazing management to encourage clover production in mixtures with phalaris will be necessary before the potential of subterranean clover to contribute fixed N2 in these swards is fully realised.

A comparison of the effects of feed supplements cobalt and selenium, and perennial and annual pastures on the production of medium Peppin Merino weaner sheep in south-western Australia

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
HL Davies ◽  
PP Mann ◽  
B Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Feed Supplement ◽  
Protein Meal ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
High Protein Meal ◽  
Cereal Group

Two experiments on weaner production are reported. In experiment 1, the liveweight and wool production were measured in medium Peppin Merino sheep that grazed at 10.5 weanerstha 8 plots of a mixed Phalaris aquatica-subterranean clover pasture or 8 plots of annual pasture (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Woogenellup and volunteer annual grass species). This was repeated over 2 years using autumn-born sheep; 4 groups on each pasture type were offered no supplement, 2 groups a cereal supplement (340 goats), and 2 groups of supplement isoenergetic with the cereal group but having a high protein meal replace some of the cereal (250 g oats and 60 g protein). The feed supplement was offered over the summer (January-April). The sheep on 2 of the unsupplemented plots and 1 of the 2 plots receiving either a cereal or cereal + protein supplement were offered access to a composite mineral block formulated to meet the mineral requirements of sheep with the exception of cobalt and selenium. There were 16 sheep on each plot within each group of 16 weaners, 4 were given an intraruminal cobalt 'bullet', 4 were given 5 mg of selenium orally, 4 given cobalt plus selenium and 4 were untreated controls. Experiment 2 was in year 3 with spring-born weaners on the same plots. The mineral block treatment was discarded on the plots receiving supplement and the effect of supplementary feeding at the beginning of March was compared with feeding in early January; barley was also compared with oats and protein. The stocking rate was raised to 13.5 sheep/ha. There were no statistically significant differences in sheep liveweight due to pasture type in either of the years of experiment 1 or experiment 2. Supplementation with cereals or protein-fortified cereals resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) increased liveweight at the end of March (5.6 kg in year 1,2.4 kg in year 2 of experiment 1, and 2.5 kg in experiment 2), and wool production (0.49 kg clean wool in year 1 and 0.3 1 kg in year 2 in experiment 1, and 0.49 in experiment 2). There was a significant liveweight response on the perennial plots to selenium + cobalt in year 1 of experiment 1. All cobalt-treated sheep were heavier ( P < 0.001) in year 2. Neither selenium nor cobalt significantly affected liveweight in experiment 2. The proportion of Phalaris aquatica on the perennial pasture diminished from 18% to less than 9% by the end of year 2 in experiment 1. These results suggest that, if perennial pastures cannot be maintained, then their establishment in the south-west of Western Australia would not result in greater animal production than on annual pasture. Decisions on using supplements would be dependent upon feed and wool prices.

Internal phosphorus requirements of six legumes and two grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pinkerton ◽  
PJ Randall
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Published Data ◽  
P Deficiency ◽  
Critical Concentrations ◽  
Phosphate Fertiliser ◽  
Full Flowering ◽  
Lotus Pedunculatus ◽  
Phosphorus Requirements

Critical phosphorus (P) values, both total (P,) and inorganic Pi, for the diagnosis of P deficiency were derived for a number of pasture species that are increasingly used in Australia. Trifolium balansae and Medicago murex, with T. subterraneum for comparison, were grown for 2 seasons in field experiments to which 7 rates of phosphate fertiliser were applied. The legumes T. balansae, M. murex, M. polymorpha, Ornithopus compressus, and Lotus pedunculatus, and the grasses Phalaris aquatica and Danthonia richardsonii, were grown in sand culture in glasshouse experiments and provided with nutrient solutions containing 6 rates of P (0.05-1.6 mmol/L). Diagnostic indices were derived for blades of the youngest open leaves (YOL) or youngest expanded blades, and for whole shoots. Critical Pt concentration in the YOL of T. balansae did not decline until full flowering and was the most stable indicator. The range of critical concentrations was 0.45-0.50% for both diagnosis of deficiency and prediction of seasonal yield. A Pi concentration of 150 mg/kg was critical for T. balansae during vegetative growth only. Critical concentrations in M. murex declined from an early stage, but a Pt concentration in YOL of 0.40% was the most useful indicator for diagnosis until flowering. The critical values for T. subterraneum agreed well with previously published data. Critical P concentrations in O. compressus were similar at 2 sampling times. For the remaining species, critical concentrations declined with time and it was necessary to know plant age when interpreting them.

Water stress and redlegged earth mites affect the early growth of seedlings in a subterranean clover/capeweed pasture community

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chapman ◽  
T. J. Ridsdill-Smith ◽  
N. C. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Halotydeus Destructor ◽  
Redlegged Earth Mite ◽  
Environment Experiment ◽  
Mite Infestations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings

The impact of water stress and infestations of redlegged earth mite [Halotydeus destructor Tucker (Acarina : Penthaleidae)] on the early growth and botanical composition of a mixed subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and capeweed (Arctotheca calendula Levyns) pasture was investigated in a controlled environment experiment. Water stress and redlegged earth mite infestations both significantly reduced herbage production from both species. The yield of the subterranean clover was suppressed less by water stress than that of the capeweed. The differing sensitivities of the two species to water stress were attributed to differences in seedling size and growth rates at the onset of the drought. Redlegged earth mites caused greater feeding damage on cotyledons of the subterranean clover than of the capeweed. Despite this, the mites had a greater deleterious impact on the growth of the capeweed, which was suppressed both in the presence and absence of water stress. Redlegged earth mites in the presence of water stress did not significantly affect the growth of the subterranean clover. Furthermore, in the absence of water stress, the growth of the subterranean clover was greater when mites were present than when absent. The greater sensitivity of the capeweed to the effects of feeding by the redlegged earth mites was attributed to the smaller size of its seedlings at the time the redlegged earth mites were introduced. The increase in growth of the subterranean clover following the introduction of redlegged earth mites is more likely due to a change in the competitive relationships between the two plant species than to any direct effect of the mites’ feeding. Our observations indicate that the presence of water stress and redlegged earth mites significantly affects the competitive interactions between seedlings of subterranean clover and capeweed.

scholarly journals Growth Changes of Subterranean Clover During Recovery from Phosphorus and Sulphur Stresses

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Bouma
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growth Changes ◽  
Nutrient Solutions

Young subterranean clover plants (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Mt. Barker) were grown at several levels of phosphorus or sulphur supply and their growth changes examined and compared during a period of 7 days after transfer to complete nutrient solutions.

Effect of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) density on seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
P. S. Cocks ◽  
A. D. Swan ◽  
E. C. Wolfe ◽  
L. M. Ayre
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Clover Seed

A mixture of 3 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars (cvv. Goulburn, Seaton Park, and Dalkeith) was grown with 5–40 plants/m2 of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for 3 years at Wagga Wagga, NSW (147°21´E, 35°03´S). Clover seed yield was assessed each year, the number of regenerating clover seedlings was counted, herbage yield of clover and the perennials was measured, and the change in perennial density recorded. The influence of perennials on water availability in spring and light during clover seed set was also examined. The impact of perennial density on clover was assessed using regression analyses. In each of the 3 years, subterranean clover seed yield was negatively related to perennial density, but phalaris suppressed clover seed yield more than equivalent densities of lucerne in 2 of the years. Clover seed yield was positively related (R2 = 0.30–0.85) to clover biomass in spring in all 3 years (except for subterranean clover in phalaris in 1994) and to the proportion of total photosynthetically active radiation reaching the clover canopy beneath the perennial (R2 = 0.33–0.83) in 2 of the 3 years. There was a positive relationship between clover seedling regeneration in autumn and size of the summer seed bank in both years in lucerne (R2 = 0.40–0.76) and in 1 year in phalaris (R2 = 0.76) and a negative association between perennial density and clover seedling regeneration. The rate at which the surface profile (0–37 cm) dried in spring was independent of phalaris and lucerne density over the 3 years and did not differ from that of pure clover. The late season clover cultivar, Goulburn, constituted between 57% and 79% of the seed bank following seed set, substantially more than the earlier flowering cultivars, Seaton Park and Dalkeith. Neither perennial density nor species changed the relative competitiveness of the 3 cultivars. The high seed yield of Goulburn and the lack of a perennial-induced change in surface soil water in spring suggest that growing perennials in association with subterranean clover does not increase the level of moisture stress during clover seed set. The good performance of Goulburn is attributed to superior competitive ability for light in late spring. The basal area occupied by lucerne and phalaris increased with perennial density in each of the first 2 years. However, in the third year, phalaris basal area was similar at all densities. The findings suggest that sowing low densities of lucerne should assist in promoting seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover. Management of phalaris, which has the capacity to substantially increase plant size at low densities, may require additional strategies such as more frequent grazing in spring.

Nutrient potential and capacity. III. Minimum value of potassium potential for availability to Trifolium subterraneum in soil and in solution culture

1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
NJ Barrow ◽  
CJ Asher ◽  
PG Ozanne
Keyword(s):  
Fine Root ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Solution Culture ◽  
Buffering Capacity ◽  
Free Energy Of Exchange ◽  
Solution Cultures ◽  
Very High ◽  
Nutrient Solutions

Plants of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were grown in a range of soils until the supplies of potassium were exhausted. The potassium potential of each soil was then measured by determining the free energy of exchange of potassium for calcium plus magnesium. In soils of very high buffering capacity the potassium potential of the exhausted soil was about –6000 cal/equiv. In soils of lower buffering capacity the potential of the exhausted soil was higher but this may have been an artefact due to release of potassium from fine root material left in the soil at harvest. Subterranean clover plants were also grown in large volumes of well-stirred nutrient solutions which were held at a range of potassium concentrations. Again it was found that the plants were unable to take up potassium when the potassium potential was about –6000 cal/equiv. It is suggested that the potentials were similar because diffusion gradients were negligible in the exhausted soil and also in the swiftly flowing solutions. At potentials above –6000 cal/equiv. availability of potassium appeared to be greater in the solution cultures than in soils. It is suggested that this occurred because, in soils, the uptake of potassium causes the potential at the plant root to be lower than in the bulk of the soil.

Herbicide dose rate response curves in subterranean clover determined by a bioassay

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
B. S. Dear ◽  
J. E. Pratley ◽  
B. R. Cullis
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Response Curves ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Major Factors

Summary. Herbicide dose response curves were developed for 5 herbicide treatments, MCPA, 2,4-DB, bromoxynil, MCPA + terbutryn and MCPA + diuron, when applied to 2 cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in a glasshouse experiment. The effect of varying spraying time (14 May and 14 June) and leaf stage (3–4 v. 8–10 trifoliate leaves) at spraying was also examined. The dose rate multiple of the recommended rate required to reduce the clover herbage yield by 50% (I50) differed markedly between herbicide treatments. The 2 MCPA mixtures were the most phytotoxic with an I50 value between 0.45 and 0.83, bromoxynil and MCPA alone were intermediate. 2,4-DB was the least phytotoxic with an I50 value between 2.36 and 2.94 depending on cultivar and leaf stage at the time of application. The effect of leaf stage at spraying, time of spraying and cultivar on herbicide phytotoxicity was relatively small, the major factors being herbicide choice (which accounted for 83% of the variation in I50 values) and rate of herbicide applied. While there was differential cultivar tolerance to the herbicide 2,4-DB, there was no difference between the cultivars in their response to the other herbicide treatments. The phytotoxicity of the herbicides applied at either the 3–4 or 8–10 leaf stage in the glasshouse bioassay was highly correlated (r = 0.84, P<0.01) with previous estimates of phytotoxicity determined under field conditions, although slightly overestimated phytotoxicity compared with field tests. European Weed Research Council (EWRC) scores of herbicide damage in the glasshouse bioassay were found to be highly negatively correlated with dry matter yield losses in both the glasshouse (r = –0.78 to –0.98, P<0.001) and field (r = –0.72, P<0.001) and are therefore an acceptable alternative where destructive sampling is not practical. The EWRC scoring system was found to be more effective at quantifying damage where it was manifest as burning or stunting rather than as leaf distortion. The study indicated that a glasshouse herbicide bioassay is a useful technique for rapidly screening herbicides for phytotoxicity on subterranean clover.

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