Autumn Sward Suppression and Insect Control Effects on Late‐Winter No‐Till Establishment of Ladino Clover

Abstract

AbstractLadino clover (Trifolium repens L.) has traditionally been established in the autumn in the southeastern USA. Grass suppression and insect control have proven beneficial for successful autumn no‐till establishment. Winter planting offers an alternative, yet little is known about late winter grass suppression and insect or mollusk control. Herbicide applied at planting in late winter usually failed to suppress or kill cool‐season grasses. Field studies were conducted to evaluate (i) the influence of fall suppression or kill with paraquat (1,1'‐dimethyl‐4‐4' bipyridinium ion) of the tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) sward on late‐winter (February or March) no‐till establishment of ladino clover, (ii) establishment by drilling versus surface planting and (iii) the influence of suppression of insect and/or mollusk populations on the late‐winter no‐till establishment of ladino clover into tall fescue. Initial late winter no‐till clover densities were 30% greater for the March as compared to February planting (three experiment average). Drill planting of clover resulted in 2.1 times greater initial clover density (four experiment average) and 1.9 times more clover yield than surface planting (three experiment average). Application of paraquat to tall fescue in bands (13 cm) in mid‐October resulted in essentially complete grass kill with the bands. Neither autumn grass suppression nor the use of insecticide or molluscicide altered clover density or stand. Late‐winter, no‐till establishment provides an alternative to fall establishment. Our results indicate that fall chemical suppression of grass swards is not necessary for successful late‐winter establishment of ladino clover.