Internode numbers of New Zealand red clovers, as influenced by variety, time of closing for seed and date of flowering

Abstract

Summary Two red-clover varieties, cowgrass; and the later-flowering Montgomery, are certified in New Zealand. Counts of stem internodes can be helpful in distinguishing these varieties or detecting contamination of one in the other, but there are limitations to the use of this method. The range of internode numbers is normally different for each of the two varieties, but there is often considerable overlapping. Time of shutting for seed and time of flowering, are sometimes associated with various levels of internode number that can render uncertain varietal identification by this method. Ease and accuracy of identification may vary with district and season.