Publication Date
1989
Description
The eastern part of the Republic of South Africa receives a relatively high rainfall, which results in it having a high agricultural potential. The quality of natural and cultivated pastures can be vastly improved by the introduction of a legume component. In the areas where pastures are likely to develop, the soils are acid and highly leached. White clover is not normally tolerant of low P, low Ca and high Al soil contents, and due to its normally shallow rooting habit it consequently suffers easily from drought conditions, and therefore has a much reduced productive period of approximately 30 months (Tainton, 1980; Smith and Morrison, 1983). In the areas under consideration for the establishment of white clover, soil P levels are generally very low (2 to 4 ppm in virgin soils) and Al levels are often high, particularly in the dystrophic upland situations. K is also sometimes limiting as is S. The area is relatively moist during summer but winters are dry and dry spells are often experienced during summer. A white clover with inadequate root penetration requires a constant supply of moisture for production and survival (Tainton, 1980).
Citation
Smith, A; Goodenough, D.C W.; Morrison, A.R J.; and Smith, Marie F., "White Clover Root Systems and Their Influence on the Survival of Perennial Pastures in South Africa" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 72.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session1/72
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
White Clover Root Systems and Their Influence on the Survival of Perennial Pastures in South Africa
The eastern part of the Republic of South Africa receives a relatively high rainfall, which results in it having a high agricultural potential. The quality of natural and cultivated pastures can be vastly improved by the introduction of a legume component. In the areas where pastures are likely to develop, the soils are acid and highly leached. White clover is not normally tolerant of low P, low Ca and high Al soil contents, and due to its normally shallow rooting habit it consequently suffers easily from drought conditions, and therefore has a much reduced productive period of approximately 30 months (Tainton, 1980; Smith and Morrison, 1983). In the areas under consideration for the establishment of white clover, soil P levels are generally very low (2 to 4 ppm in virgin soils) and Al levels are often high, particularly in the dystrophic upland situations. K is also sometimes limiting as is S. The area is relatively moist during summer but winters are dry and dry spells are often experienced during summer. A white clover with inadequate root penetration requires a constant supply of moisture for production and survival (Tainton, 1980).
