Publication Date
1989
Description
Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is considered a very valuable species for the improvement of degraded Mediterranean pastures and rangelands. Its persistence on such areas, however, depends on the particular cultivars used and the physical and chemical conditions of their soil (Gomez, 1981; Collins et al., 1984, Crespo and Romano, 1985). Degraded forests covered by shrubby oaks occupy large areas in northern Greece. The grazing value of these areas, especially for sheep, is very low. However, if the oaks are cleared by buldozer and the areas are sown after cultivation with subterranean clover, very productive pastures may be developed (Quinlivan, 1982). On the other hand, the environment of northern Greece is characterized by cold winters which substantially inhibit pasture growth in the winter and early spring. As a result, late maturing cultivars are able to persist more than early ones (Papanastasis and Papademetriou, 1985). Among the commercialy available cultivars, Woogenellup and Mt Barker are suggested as the most suitable for northern Grece (Quinlivan, 1982). The purpose of the study was to test the persistence of these two cultivars in a cleared forest area so that their potential for developing improved pastures in marginal forest lands is explored.
Citation
Papanastasis, V and Platis, P, "Persistence of Subterranean Clover Cultivars in a Cleared Forest Area in Northern Greece" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session13b/3
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Persistence of Subterranean Clover Cultivars in a Cleared Forest Area in Northern Greece
Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is considered a very valuable species for the improvement of degraded Mediterranean pastures and rangelands. Its persistence on such areas, however, depends on the particular cultivars used and the physical and chemical conditions of their soil (Gomez, 1981; Collins et al., 1984, Crespo and Romano, 1985). Degraded forests covered by shrubby oaks occupy large areas in northern Greece. The grazing value of these areas, especially for sheep, is very low. However, if the oaks are cleared by buldozer and the areas are sown after cultivation with subterranean clover, very productive pastures may be developed (Quinlivan, 1982). On the other hand, the environment of northern Greece is characterized by cold winters which substantially inhibit pasture growth in the winter and early spring. As a result, late maturing cultivars are able to persist more than early ones (Papanastasis and Papademetriou, 1985). Among the commercialy available cultivars, Woogenellup and Mt Barker are suggested as the most suitable for northern Grece (Quinlivan, 1982). The purpose of the study was to test the persistence of these two cultivars in a cleared forest area so that their potential for developing improved pastures in marginal forest lands is explored.
