An ecological study of the pasture scarab Aphodius Howitti hope.

1956 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Carne
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Annual Life Cycle ◽  
High Soil Moisture ◽  
Site Preferences ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Small Cracks ◽  
Gravid Females

The larval stage of Aphodius howitti Hope is a pest of improved and sown pastures in south-eastern Australia. The great increase in pasture improvement and of stocking rates over the past 25-30 years have favoured the development of high numbers of this insect, largely because of its preference for leguminous pasture species, especially subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). This paper describes a general study of the life-cycle, behaviour, food, and oviposition site preferences of the species and includes a discussion of the mortality factors likely to be of significance in regulating its numbers. The species has an annual life-cycle. Studies on its biology revealed that adult females lay two distinct batches of eggs. The larger batch (c. 35 eggs) is laid before the female feeds in dung, sometimes even before flight; the smaller (c . 15 eggs), after feeding. The presence of dung is therefore not necessary for the survival of the species which is often found at high densities in ungrazed turf. The factors initiating and influencing flight activity were studied in detail. Initiation is triggered by light of a particular intensity; the time of appearance of beetles in flight can be forecast accurately in relation to the time of sunset. Flights are favoured by high temperature, high soil moisture, and by low wind velocity. Unfed beetles fly upwind towards dung pads. Gravid females execute a circling, exploratory flight; they appear to seek out comparatively bare situations for oviposition and usually enter the soil through small cracks such as are made by germinating clover plants.

Effect of perennial pasture species on surface soil moisture and early growth and survival of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) seedlings

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 683 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
P. S. Cocks
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Standing Dead ◽  
Clover Seed

Subterranean clover seedling numbers and growth in swards containing 1 of 5 perennial pasture species [phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) cv. Sirolan, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) cv. Currie, lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Aquarius, wallaby grass (Danthonia richardsonii) cv. Taranna, and lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) cv. Consol] were compared with those in typical annual pastures and pure clover swards in the wheatbelt of eastern Australia. Presence of a perennial species or the volunteer annual grass (Eragrostis cilianensis) increased the rate of drying of the soil surface (0–5 cm) after late February and May rain, compared with subterranean clover swards. Perennials differed in the rate they dried the soil surface, with the more summer-active lucerne and consul lovegrass drying the profile more rapidly than phalaris. The amount of water in the surface 5 cm, 6 days after the rainfall event on 27–28 February, was strongly negatively correlated (r = –0·75, P < 0·01) with the amount of green perennial biomass, but not related to standing dead material or surface residues. Where perennials were present, a smaller proportion (2–4%) of the clover seed pool produced seedlings in response to late summer rain, compared with pure clover swards (18%). A higher proportion of the seed pool produced seedlings (19–36%) following rain in late autumn but there was no difference between species. The more summer-active perennials (cocksfoot, danthonia, and lucerne) markedly depressed the survival of emerged clover seedlings following both germinations. Of the seedlings that emerged in early March, the proportion remaining by 29 March was 57% in phalaris, 21% in lucerne, 13% in danthonia, and 1% in cocksfoot, compared with a 78% increase in seedlings in pure subterranean clover swards. By 15 May, all perennials had <2 clover seedlings/m2 surviving, compared with 37 in the annual pasture and 964 plants/m2 in pure subterranean clover. Following the May germination, the highest proportion of emerged seedlings surviving until 29 May was in the phalaris swards (40%) and least in the cocksfoot and danthonia swards (2–4%). Presence of a perennial or annual grass decreased (P < 0·05) relative water content of clover seedlings on 15 March from 74% in pure clover swards, to 48% in annual pasture, 34% in phalaris, and 29% in lucerne swards. Clover seedlings growing in pure subterranean swards on 15 March (17 days after germinating rain) were 4 times larger than those in lucerne and twice as large as those in either phalaris or annual pasture. Seed size did not differ between treatments, but available mineral soil nitrogen was significantly higher (P < 0·001) in pure subterranean clover swards (32 mg N/g) compared with perennials (3–13 mg N/g). Strategies such as heavy grazing in late summer to reduce green biomass of the perennials or sowing the perennials at lower densities may reduce the adverse effects that perennials have on subterranean clover seedlings in these drier environments.

Phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum deficiencies in soils from eastern Australia in relation to nutrient supply and some characteristics of soil and climate.

1955 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
KD McLachlan
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
The Other ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
Sulphur Deficiency ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Western Victoria

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) was grown on 32 virgin soils in pot cultures, and the yield responses to phosphorus, sulphur, and molybdenum were determined for each soil. The soils were collected from a wide area in eastern Australia, extending from south-western Victoria to southern Queensland. Sulphur deficiency occurred almost as frequently as phosphorus deficiency. In fact, 75 per cent. of the soils were deficient in both phosphorus and sulphur. Thirty-one per cent. were deficient in all three elements. The effect of the interaction between the elements on the occurrence and intensity of the deficiencies is shown. Molybdenum responses were obtained only after the other deficiencies had been corrected. A deficiency in one of the elements is no indication of deficiency or sufficiency of either of the other two. There was no correlation between the occurrence or intensity of the deficiencies and the geological origin of the soil parent material, the climate of the regions from which the soils were collected, or such soil characters as colour, organic matter, and texture. Responses to phosphorus were less on the black earths than on the red or yellow podzolic soils; those on the red earths were intermediate. The intensity of sulphur deficiency increased, and the intensity of molybdenum deficiency decreased, with increasing soil pH.

Effects of lime on the botanical composition of pasture over nine years in a field experiment on the south-western slopes of New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Li ◽  
K. R. Helyar ◽  
C. M. Evans ◽  
M. C. Wilson ◽  
L. J. C. Castleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Plant Succession ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Eastern Australia

Two permanent pastures (annual pasture v. perennial pasture) were established in 1992 as part of the long-term field experiment, MASTER — Managing Acid Soils Through Efficient Rotations. The primary objective of the experiment was to develop an agricultural system that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable on the highly acidic soils in south-eastern Australia. This paper reports on the effects of lime on the botanical composition changes of annual and perennial pastures over 9 years. In general, lime increased the proportion of the desirable species, such as phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) in perennial pasture and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) in annual pastures, and decreased the proportion of the undesirable species, such as Vulpia spp., in both annual and perennial pastures, ultimately improving the quality of feed-on-offer to animals. As a result, the limed pastures carried 24% more sheep than the unlimed pastures, while maintaining individual animal performance similar for both limed and unlimed pastures. The phalaris-based perennial pasture was more stable in terms of maintaining the sown species than the annual pasture. Lime improved the persistence of phalaris and the longevity of the phalaris-based pasture should be at least 10 years. Lime changed the direction of plant succession of annual pastures. Without lime, Vulpia spp. gradually became more dominant while ryegrass and subterranean clover became less dominant in annual pastures. With lime, barley grass (Hordeum leporinum) gradually invaded the sward at the expense of ryegrass, thus reducing the benefits of lime, but this effect was less for the perennial pastures than for annual pastures. Liming perennial pastures should be more beneficial than liming annual pastures because of the beneficial effects on pasture composition. In addition, previously published work reported that liming perennial pastures improved sustainability through better use of water and nitrogen.

Plant population dynamics in subterranean clover and murex medic swards. 3. Effect of pod burial, summer grazing and autumn cultivation on emergence

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Blumenthal ◽  
RL Ison
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Plant Population Dynamics ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Ley Farming ◽  
Summer Grazing

Murex medic (Medicago murex Willd.) seedling recruitment is more sensitive to soil water at the time of emergence than subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.). Murex medic pods normally lay on the soil surface. Shallow burial of pods may be beneficial when soil moisture is marginal for germination and emergence. In addition, the tightly coiled structure of murex medic pods may also act as a barrier to water uptake by the seed. Two methods of burying murex medic pods were investigated in the field: (i) trampling by sheep hooves through summer grazing; and (ii) through light cultivation in autumn. A glasshouse experiment was also conducted to examine the interaction between the length of time that the soil stays moist and pod burial for CD26 and CD53 murex medic and Dalkeith, Junee, Seaton Park and Woogenellup subterranean clover. In the glasshouse, pod burial was important for the attainment of maximum emergence in all genotypes when soil water was limiting. However, pod structure did not appear to have a limiting role in germination and emergence in murex medic. When tested in the field, pod burial by sheep trampling through summer grazing improved emergence in CD26, possibly because the smaller more open pod was more easily trampled than that of CD53. Summer grazing in CD53 and Dalkeith and autumn cultivation in all genotypes did not improve emergence; possible reasons for this are discussed so to is the role of murex medic in ley farming systems in eastern Australia.

The production and life span of seed of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1959 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Donald
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Genetic Difference ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Daily Minimum Temperature ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Carry Over

At an elevation of 2040 ft on the southern tablelands of Kew South Wales, seed production by swards of subterranean clover was apparently governed by mininnnn temperatures (frequency and intensity of frosts) during the flowering period. The aggregate deficit of the daily minimum temperature below 40°F in the 21 days from the commencement of flowering showed a high correlation with seed production per unit area in four successive seasons. Spring frosts account for the altitudinal limit of about 4000 ft to which subterranean clover grows in the alps of south-eastern Australia. Lateness of flowering has specific survival value at high altitudes in this region and in such areas as the high parts of the plateau of Spain. On the average 92 per cent. of the seed crop germinated in the year following its production, with 6.3 per cent. in the second year, and with falling values to 0.07 per cent. in the fifth year. Germination thereafter was nil or negligible. The early-flowering variety Dwalganup appeared to show a genetic difference in the persistence of more of its seed into the second and subsequent years. There was a regular seasonal pattern of seed germination, with the peak of germination occurring in the late summer and autumn. The "carry over" of seed into the second and subsequent years, and the germination peak in the autumn, have each considerable ecological significance.

Excess cation concentrations in shoots and roots of pasture species of importance in south-eastern Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 883 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Braschkat ◽  
P. J. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Production Period ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Excess cation concentrations (total cations – total inorganic anions) are reported for roots and shoots of 16 plant species of importance in pastures in south-eastern Australia. This information is required for the calculation of acidification in grazed pasture systems. The excess cation concentrations for shoots at flowering were [cmol(+)/kg]: perennial grasses — Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) 50, Phalaris aquatic (phalaris) 51, Danthonia richardsonii (wallaby grass) 30, Dactylus glomerata (cocksfoot) 62, Holcus lanatus (Fog grass) 60; annual grasses — Lolium rigidum 29, Vulpia bromoides (vulpia) 40, Hordeum leporinum (barley grass) 46, Bromus mollis (soft brome) 59; perennial legumes — Medicago sativa (lucerne) 115, Trifolium repens (white clover) 147; annual legumes — Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) 142, Medicago truncatula (barrel medic) 114, Ornithopus sativus (serradella) 137; weeds — Arctotheca calendula (cape weed) 165, Echium plantagineum (Paterson’s curse) 169. Values for roots were in the same order as shoots in vulpia and wallaby grass but lower for the other species, varying between 26 and 62% of the shoot value in grasses and 29 and 49% in legumes. For a subset of 4 legumes and 3 grasses, the excess cation concentrations in shoots were measured over the main production period in spring. Excess cation concentrations generally declined during the season, with the change being relatively larger in grasses than legumes.

Competition among seedlings of perennial grasses, subterranean clover, white clover, and annual ryegrass in replacement series mixtures

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Lodge
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Estimates ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Successful Establishment

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.

scholarly journals Host plant recognition by the root feeding clover weevil, Sitona lepidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.N. Johnson ◽  
P.J. Gregory ◽  
P.J. Murray ◽  
X Zhang ◽  
I.M. Young
Keyword(s):  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Movement Rates ◽  
Sitona Lepidus ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Invasive Techniques ◽  
Root Feeding

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.

The influence of seed size and depth of sowing on pre-emergence and early vegetative growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1956 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
JN Black
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Seed Size ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Total Leaf Area ◽  
Pot Culture

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.

Temporal variation in the weight-size relationship of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus L. (Decapoda: Ucididae) in relation to its life cycle phases

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos de Miranda Leão Leite ◽  
Cynthia Yuri Ogawa ◽  
Carla Ferreira Rezende ◽  
José Roberto Feitosa Silva
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Condition Factor ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Annual Life Cycle ◽  
Ucides Cordatus ◽  
Mangrove Crab ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between weight and size of individuals can be used to evaluate the status of a population, which is particularly useful for natural populations that are being exploited. Ucides cordatus occurs on the Atlantic coast of the American continent, from Florida (USA) to Santa Catarina (Brazil). This species is economically very important, most of all in the Northeastern area of Brazil, as well as in the Dominican Republic and Suriname. The objective of this study was to analyze life phases (‘fattening’, ‘matumba’, ‘milk-crab’, ‘maturation’ and ‘walking’) by use of the weight-length relationships, as well as temporal variations in this condition factor for each sex of U. cordatus. For this purpose, individuals were sampled monthly for twenty-four months at the Jaguaribe River estuary, Ceará State, Northeastern Brazil. The relationship between total weight and cephalothorax width was established using regression analysis, adjusted by a power equation. The dynamics of the condition factor were analyzed for each sex using the variation of its averages related to annual life cycle; this was done for each of the previously-mentioned phases. The relationship between total weight and cephalothorax width showed an isometric growth in males and negative allometric growth in females suggesting that, for the same reference size, males are heavier than females. When considering the average of the female condition factors, these were greater than those for males during the annual life cycle, except during the ‘maturation’ phase, which is the phase with a higher demand of energetic reserves for males. Annual variation of the condition factor in females presented no significant difference.

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