Estimation of clover biomass and percentage in a performance trial of white clover‐timothy binary mixtures: Use of multiple regression equations incorporating plant cover measured with the grid‐point plate

Abstract

AbstractClover biomass and its percentage are both important measurements for performance trials of clover cultivars in binary mixtures with grass species. In the present study we developed multiple regression equations for estimating clover biomass and its percentage composition in binary mixtures of white clover (Trifolium repens L., three cultivars and one breeding line) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.). Plant height, cover, cover × plant height and dry matter ratio of white clover and cutting time were considered as potential explanatory variables for the regression equation. White clover cover was measured using a grid‐point plate overlaid on a digital image of vegetation photographed from the top. The technique is considered to be useful for estimating herbage biomass and its percentage of white clover in a mixture with the grass because of high accuracy and precision in estimation and reduced time and labor requirements.