Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
The research was undertaken to obtain data on the factors affecting the ecological stability of grass/white clover swards. The objective was to monitor the changes in the level of clover dominance within and between seasons under different managements. The changes were compared with concurrent changes in the density of grass tillers. The results showed that clover dominance was reduced as grass tiller density increased. Clover dominance was maintained over three years in swards cut at 28-day intervals during the growing season. Clover declined progressively in swards cut at 14-day intervals. This decline was also related to an increase in grass tiller density. Under the conditions of the experiment clover was suppressed when grass tiller density exceeded 5,000 m-2. At lower tiller densities clover was generally dominant. The transition from clover to grass dominance was sensitive to small changes in grass tiller density in the region of 5,000 m-2. It was concluded that the instability observed in grass/clover swards under rotational grazing is due to the sensitivity of clover to grass tiller density within the normal range found in swards. The results provide a basis for developing management practices suited to the establishment and maintenance of the grass/clover association.
Citation
Brereton, A J.; Carton, O T.; and Conway, A, "The Effect of Grass Tiller Density on the Performance of White Clover" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 117.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses6/117)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effect of Grass Tiller Density on the Performance of White Clover
Kyoto Japan
The research was undertaken to obtain data on the factors affecting the ecological stability of grass/white clover swards. The objective was to monitor the changes in the level of clover dominance within and between seasons under different managements. The changes were compared with concurrent changes in the density of grass tillers. The results showed that clover dominance was reduced as grass tiller density increased. Clover dominance was maintained over three years in swards cut at 28-day intervals during the growing season. Clover declined progressively in swards cut at 14-day intervals. This decline was also related to an increase in grass tiller density. Under the conditions of the experiment clover was suppressed when grass tiller density exceeded 5,000 m-2. At lower tiller densities clover was generally dominant. The transition from clover to grass dominance was sensitive to small changes in grass tiller density in the region of 5,000 m-2. It was concluded that the instability observed in grass/clover swards under rotational grazing is due to the sensitivity of clover to grass tiller density within the normal range found in swards. The results provide a basis for developing management practices suited to the establishment and maintenance of the grass/clover association.
