Achieving persistence and productivity in white clover

Abstract

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a valuable forage and soil fertility resource whose persistence and contribution to production and profitability can be constrained by genetic, farm management, and environmental factors. Here we outline the growth stages of the plant, and factors affecting persistence at the plant and the population level in pasture. Breeding strategies that bring together new germplasm sources within white clover have improved persistence on farm. New experimental lines, including some accessing genetics from related Trifolium species, show advances in forage productivity and persistence in multi-site, mixed sward, trial systems under dairy, sheep and cattle grazing. New germplasm sources and the use of new tools for characterising and selecting superior plant material will enable increased genetic gain for traits including persistence and forage production in white clover and related forage legumes. Keywords: Lolium perenne, pasture, persistence, stolon density, Trifolium repens, white clover