Description
Clovers (Trifolium spp.) are the most widely used genera of legumes in forage systems, although only a limited number of the hundreds of perennial and annual species are commercially available. The number of varieties available within each of the main commercial species can be high and demonstrates past breeding achievements. Success relates to any clover’s ability to persist in mixtures with other forage species, across a range of soil types, management systems, and climates, while providing animal nutrition and biologically fixed nitrogen benefits. Uses range from traditional pasture mixtures with grasses to inclusion in multi-species mixtures, and as cover crop mixes as part of annual cropping systems. Both conventional breeding and genetic modification will lead to better adapted and performing varieties as well as new traits that provide additional benefits for improved animal nutrition and environmental outcomes. The use of genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to determine genetic variation and population structure for clover improvement programs shows great promise. Selection for improved seed yields while maintaining good agronomic performance will ensure cost effective seed production of commercial varieties. Seed coating with effective rhizobia is paramount for nitrogen fixation benefits to be realised. Management systems research to increase the use and economics of clover varieties in future pasture, cover crop, and carbon farming sustainability systems is critical but challenging.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Future of Clovers in Forage Systems and as Cover Crops
Clovers (Trifolium spp.) are the most widely used genera of legumes in forage systems, although only a limited number of the hundreds of perennial and annual species are commercially available. The number of varieties available within each of the main commercial species can be high and demonstrates past breeding achievements. Success relates to any clover’s ability to persist in mixtures with other forage species, across a range of soil types, management systems, and climates, while providing animal nutrition and biologically fixed nitrogen benefits. Uses range from traditional pasture mixtures with grasses to inclusion in multi-species mixtures, and as cover crop mixes as part of annual cropping systems. Both conventional breeding and genetic modification will lead to better adapted and performing varieties as well as new traits that provide additional benefits for improved animal nutrition and environmental outcomes. The use of genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to determine genetic variation and population structure for clover improvement programs shows great promise. Selection for improved seed yields while maintaining good agronomic performance will ensure cost effective seed production of commercial varieties. Seed coating with effective rhizobia is paramount for nitrogen fixation benefits to be realised. Management systems research to increase the use and economics of clover varieties in future pasture, cover crop, and carbon farming sustainability systems is critical but challenging.
