New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Factors affecting clover root weevil (Sitona lepidus) numbers and
clover production
J. P. J. Eerens
S. Hardwick
AgResearch
Ruakura Research Centre
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand
email: han.eerens@agresearch.co.nz
Abstract The impact of a range of simulated pasture management
options on damage to white clover resulting from the presence of the clover
root weevil was evaluated in a glasshouse experiment. Pasture management
options included were irrigation, cutting regime, cultivar, soil fertility
(Olsen P) level, and nitrogen application. Two different soil types were
used. White clover growth was significantly enhanced by moist soil conditions,
as were clover root weevil (CRW) larval numbers recovered per plot. Few (<1%)
CRW larvae developed from the eggs (applied at 4000/m2) under dry
soil conditions. Dry soil conditions dominated any effect that could be attributed
to other treatments. More (c. 10.5%) CRW larvae developed under moist soil
conditions, but clover plants tolerated this without significant losses to
shoot production, although it did significantly (P = 0.01) affect shoot/root
ratio (on average 50% lower when CRW larvae were present). More clover dry
matter was produced on mineral soil (P < 0.05), when nitrogen was applied
(P < 0.05) and when the cultivar ‘Challenge’ was used instead of ‘Prop’
(P < 0.001). Cutting regime had a minor influence (P < 0.10) on clover
production but the influence of Olsen-P level was not significant.
Keywords clover production; clover root weevil; irrigation;
Sitona lepidus
A03011; Received 21 February 2003; accepted 25 August 2003; online publication
date 5 November 2003
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2003, Vol. 46: 305–310
0028–8233/03/4604–0305 $7.00/0 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2003
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