Abstract
Four alternative legume species, Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum), zigzag clover (T. medium), crown vetch (Coronilla varia), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), were compared with white clover (T. repens) on four tussock grassland sites. Seed was inoculated and pelleted, and then oversown at a rate equivalent to 5 kg/ha viable seed. Germination, nodulation and survival of white clover, Monaro Caucasian clover, and zigzag clover were similar on the two lowest sites (600 and 830 m). However, low rates of zigzag clover germination occurred on the two higher sites (1090 and 1100 m). Germination of crown vetch appeared to be prevented or delayed by the low temperatures, and no plants established on any site. Low nodulation occurred in Treeline Caucasian clover and birdsfoot trefoil. Further research is required to select more suitable strains of rhizobia for both these legumes. The results provide information for estimating likely plant densities of these new cultivars when oversown in tussock grassland environments. Keywords Coronifla varia, establishment, germination, inoculation, Lotus corniculatus, nodulation, Trifoliumambiguum, Trifolium medium, Trifolium repens
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