RESPONSE OF ZIGZAG CLOVER GENOTYPES TO MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Abstract

Ten genotypes of zigzag clover, representing various growth habits and harvested under three management practices, were evaluated for yield, height, spread, date of flowering, total nitrogen, and total available carbohydrates (TAC) in the rhizomes. Genotypes ranged from low-growing, pasture types to tall, upright, hay types. Management practices were harvest prior to flowering, harvest at early bloom, and harvest at full bloom. Significant differences were found among genotypes and among harvests for all factors measured except TAC. The more significant findings were: genotypes differed in yielding ability at each harvesting schedule; spread for all genotypes was excellent regardless of harvest treatment; flowering date in the spring was markedly influenced by date of last cutting the previous year; and harvesting practices had no effect on the TAC content in the rhizomes. Correlation coefficients were calculated among the pertinent characters. The r values between height and forage yield and spread and forage yield were highly significant.