New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Growth of United States versus New Zealand white clover cultivars in diverse grasses in Mississippi, USA

G. A. PEDERSON
G. E. BRINK

USDA-ARS, Crop Science Res. Lab.
Waste Mgt. and Forage Res. Unit
P.O. Box 5367
Mississippi State
MS 39762, USA
email: clover@ra.msstate.edu

J. R. CARADUS

AgResearch
Private Bag 11008
Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract  The use of plant material outside the country of development is common, but whether such material is superior to existing types of the same species is questionable. Seven United States and eight New Zealand white clover (Trifolium repens) cultivars, germplasms, or breeding populations were evaluated for plant spread and dry matter yield for two years at Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA, when grown in monoculture or with grasses having differing seasonal growth patterns, viz tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). Plant material originating in the United States had 49-53% greater plant spread and 79-222% greater clover dry matter yield in monoculture or in association with either grass than the New Zealand material. Osceola, SRVR, and Brown Loam Syn#2 white clover had greater plant spread than all New Zealand material at 9 of 11 sampling dates. White clover spread and yield under monoculture showed a closer correlation with growth in association with common bermudagrass than with tall fescue. White clover should be selected in the climate and with the grass association in which it is to be utilised.

Keywords  white clover; Trifolium repens; bermudagrass; tall fescue; plant spread; dry matter yield; genetic variation; cultivars; Cynodon dactylon; Festuca arundinacea

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 115-123

0028-8233/99/4202-0115 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1999

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (707K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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