Description
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an excellent perennial forage legume, has been considered for many years to be a short-lived, two to three years, forage. Selection for resistance to foliar and root rot diseases and for longevity of stand over the past four decades has improved the persistence of the currently available cultivars. The present studies were conducted to evaluate the progress from selection for longevity and disease resistance. Selection for stand longevity and improved disease resistance has reliably extended the production of red clover into the third and fourth year. Selection for healthy plants in 3- or 4-year old stands of red clover has simultaneously selected for resistance to root rots caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Total 4-year forage yields of current populations of red clover are twice that produced by cultivars and germplasm available in the 1960’s.
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Increased Longevity of Red Clover Through Selection for Persistence and Disease Resistance
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an excellent perennial forage legume, has been considered for many years to be a short-lived, two to three years, forage. Selection for resistance to foliar and root rot diseases and for longevity of stand over the past four decades has improved the persistence of the currently available cultivars. The present studies were conducted to evaluate the progress from selection for longevity and disease resistance. Selection for stand longevity and improved disease resistance has reliably extended the production of red clover into the third and fourth year. Selection for healthy plants in 3- or 4-year old stands of red clover has simultaneously selected for resistance to root rots caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Total 4-year forage yields of current populations of red clover are twice that produced by cultivars and germplasm available in the 1960’s.
