Publication Date
1993
Description
Data from several experiments in Tasmania (40-42°S; 500-700 mm annual rainfall) were examined to test the hypothesis that a successful cultivar of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) should be late maturing, soft seeded, high seed yielding and competitive. Maturity alone accounted for 68% of the variation in spring production, On average, for every day increase in time to flower, production increased by 43 kg/ha. In the field seed losses averaged 25% per year and, after 3 seasons, no differences were apparent between "soft-" and "hard-seeded" cultivars in total seed loss. Success in this environment does not appear to be related to hard seed levels. Average autumn regeneration as a percentage of the summer seed reserves was 15%. High seed yields will result in good autumn seedling populations, and better winter production with increased clover dominance.
Citation
Evans, P M., "A Subterranean Clover Ideotype for a Cool Temperate Environment" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 16.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session10/16
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A Subterranean Clover Ideotype for a Cool Temperate Environment
Data from several experiments in Tasmania (40-42°S; 500-700 mm annual rainfall) were examined to test the hypothesis that a successful cultivar of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) should be late maturing, soft seeded, high seed yielding and competitive. Maturity alone accounted for 68% of the variation in spring production, On average, for every day increase in time to flower, production increased by 43 kg/ha. In the field seed losses averaged 25% per year and, after 3 seasons, no differences were apparent between "soft-" and "hard-seeded" cultivars in total seed loss. Success in this environment does not appear to be related to hard seed levels. Average autumn regeneration as a percentage of the summer seed reserves was 15%. High seed yields will result in good autumn seedling populations, and better winter production with increased clover dominance.
