Comparison of tillage methods on red clover and ryegrass establishment and production under grazing in the establishment year

Abstract

Abstract ‘Grasslands Pawera’ red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was drilled into perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-white clover (Trifolium repens L.)-dominant pasture in autumn and spring. A prototype drill equipped with a chisel coulter and band spray mechanism was used. At both dates Pawera was drilled into a cultivated seed bed, oversown or overdrilled into an undisturbed sward, and overdrilled into paraquat-sprayed bands. Effects of captan, phorate, methiocarb, and urea on red clover establishment were studied with autumn drilling. Spring drilling included blanket applications of paraquat and glyphosate and overdrilling of Pawera alone or with ‘Grasslands Nui’ perennial ryegrass. Sown plant survival and development, pasture production, and composition were evaluated under sheep grazing. After full cultivation, recovery of pasture production and red clover seedling development were more rapid for spring than autumn sowing. Compared to untreated pasture full cultivation reduced the establishment ye...