The influence of neighbouring grasses on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Sm Solangaarachchi

doi:10.4038/jnsfsr.v24i2.5542

Abstract

Plants of white clover (Tiifolium repens) were allowed to grow across a boundary between bare ground and a grass sward of Lolium perenne, Cynosurus crrstatus, Holcus lanatus or Agrostis tenuis which was defoliated to 4 cm height at ten day intervals. Growth of the clover was strongly suppressed within the grass canopies. Canopies of H. lanatus and A. tenuis produced the greatest reduction in photosynthetically active radiation beneath them and most reduced the growth of T. repens. The canopy ofH. lanatus reduced the ratio of red to far red radiation more than the canopy of the other grass species. Clones of clover differed in their response to the grass species. Clover was allowed to grow into swards of L. perenne that had been repeatedly defoliated to different heights. Clover invasion was reduced by increasing height of the sward and branching was largely inhibited in the taller swards. In the shortest swards the plants branched as freely as in bare ground.

Highlights

Mixed communities of grasses and clovers form the greater part of the grazed plant communities in northern and southern temperate countries
Invasiveness of clover into swards ofgrass species : The growth of clover plants into the grass swards was greatly reduced, compared with that made into the control areas (Table 1).The total number of nodes formed was reduced to
The reduction was even greater in swards ofA. tenuis (8%)and H. lanatus (7%)

Summary

Introduction

Mixed communities of grasses and clovers (especiallyTrifolium repens L.) form the greater part of the grazed plant communities in northern and southern temperate countries. The gr'asses provide the bulk of the fodder for the grazing animal but the legume is important because it enriches the protein content of the fodder due to its association with nitrogen fixing Rhizobium. Until recently the studies on grass - clover balance have taken a holistic view of the sward and measured the gross changes in yield and species composition of whole pastures or experimental plots that result from different management practices. The degree of grass dominance can be increased by allowing the sward to grow tall or by applying nitrogen fertilizers. The timing of defoliation can have a significant effect on the grass - clover balance because the main flush of clover growth follows that of most of the pasture grasses;

Methods

Results

Conclusion