Trifolium Medium Research Articles

Mineral Element and Total Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Seeds and Aerial Plant Parts of Perennial Legumes

ABSTRACTNaturally derived bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity and mineral component have a positive effect on human health. Consequently, legumes, including perennial species, have been used as healthy food or medicinal plants. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) have been researched more thoroughly for food components and supplements than zigzag clover (T. medium), black medick (M. lupulina), liquorice milkvetch (Astragalus glycyphyllos), cicer milkvetch (A. cicer), and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia). However, information is scarce about the distribution of mineral elements and phenolics in plants of these species as well as the antioxidant capacity of their extracts. In this study, we determined the mineral composition and total phenolic concentration in seeds and whole aerial plant parts and morphological fractions of these perennial legumes, as well as the antioxidant activity of extracts of the above-mentioned plant parts. The legume accessions chosen for this study were rich in potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), especially at branching growth stage, and thus could be used for mineral fortification of staple foods. Astragalus species, particularly seeds of A. glycyphyllos, were the richest source of Fe. Trifolium pratense, T. medium, O. viciifolia, and A. cicer were valuable source of total phenolics and antioxidants. The flower and leaf extracts of red clover exhibited very strong 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. In general, the tested perennial legumes and their plant parts have rich mineral composition and bioactive properties, and they can be used as functional ingredients to accommodate the need for a particular mineral element or a bioactive property.

Effectiveness of the alfalfa leafcutter bee Megachile rotundata Fab. to pollinate perennial clovers

The effectiveness of the alfalfa leafcutter bee, Megachile rotundata Fab., as a pollinator of alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum), red clover (Trifolium pratense), white clover (Trifolium repens), and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium), and its ability to reproduce on alsike clover and white clover were evaluated. Populations of the most important pollinators of the crop, the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., and various bumble bee species, Bombus sp., continue to decrease in North America, thus there is a need to evaluate alternative pollinators so that seed growers can optimize their choice of pollinator. Treatments consisted of plants caged to exclude all pollinators, plants caged with leafcutter bees, and plants exposed to all resident pollinators including the alfalfa leafcutter bee. These perennial clovers were essentially self-sterile, and produced very little seed when bees were excluded. Percentage seed set and yield were higher, or at least equal, for plants exposed to resident pollinators compared to plants caged with leafcutter bees in all years and for all plant species. The propagation rates and quality of alfalfa leafcutter bees produced on alsike clover and white clover were excellent. The alfalfa leafcutter bee can thus be recommended as an effective pollinator of alsike clover, red clover and white clover, increasing the options available to seed growers and leafcutter beekeepers regarding choice of pollinator. Seed set and seed yields in zigzag clover were low for both open pollinated and caged treatments; alfalfa leafcutter bees marginally contributed to seed set or yield.

Assessment of the structure of the variability of morphological signs of Trifolium medium L. introduced under the conditions of mountainous dagestan

The structure of the variability of the morphological (dimensional and quantitative) signs of the reproductive shoot of the zigzag clover Trifolium medium L., the seeds of which were collected according to the altitude factor, was studied under the conditions of its introduction in mountainous Dagestan (1100 m above sea-level). An assessment is given for the variability of vegetative and generative morphological signs.

Лесные луга Западно-Сибирской равнины и новый взгляд на систему порядка Carici macrourae–Crepidetalia sibiricae

Forest meadows is a characteristic vegetation type of the forest landscapes fr om the Altai-Sayan mountains on the east to the Southern Urals on the west. Communities inhabit open sites that were formed during natural or anthropogenic dynamic of zonal forests. It is the main reason of the floristic origina­lity of the meadows, as reflected by the presence of numerous forest species. Our study is based on the analysis of 573 relevés from 27 associations represented in the previous publications. All forest meadows of the Southern Siberia and Southern Urals are included in the order Carici macrourae–Crepidetalia sibiricae Ermakov et al. 1999 (Ermakov et al., 1999). Among the differential species (d. s.) are common forest herbs: Aegopodium podagraria, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bupleurum aureum, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Crepis sibirica, Dracocephalum ruyschiana, Geranium pseudosibiricum, Hieracium umbellatum, Lilium pilosiusculum, Lupinaster pentaphyllus, Pulmonaria mollis, Rubus saxatilis. CA-ordination shows that the moisture and geographical position are the most important factors influencing the differentiation of forest meadows. Strict dissimilarity in species composition is found between 3 regions — the Altai-Sayan mountains, West Siberian Plain and Southern Urals. The order Carici macrourae–Crepidetalia sibiricae includes three regional alliances. The alliance Crepidion sibiricae Mirkin ex Ermakov, Maltseva et Makunina 1999 (d. s.: Aegopodium podagraria, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bupleurum aureum, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Crepis sibirica, Dracocephalum ruyschiana, Geranium pseudosibiricum, Hieracium umbellatum, Lilium pilosiusculum, Lupinaster pentaphyllus, Pulmonaria mollis, Rubus saxatilis) unites meadows of piedmonts and low mountains of the Altai, Kuznetsk Alatau and Salair. The alliance Heracleo sibirici–Geranion bifolii all. nov. (d.s.: Cirsium setosum, Geranium bifolium, Hera­cleum sibiricum, Poa palustris, Populus tremula, Veronica longifolia, Vicia megalotropis) occurs almost all over the southern part of the West Siberian Plain (Lashchinsky, Tishchenko, 2011; Tishchenko, 2015). The coenoses inhabit the edges of the deciduous ­forests. The alliance Polygonion krascheninnikovii Kashapov 1985 (d. s.: Bistorta major, Geum rivale, Hylotelephium triphyllum, Rumex acetosa, Stachys officinalis, Trifolium medium, Veronica chamaedrys, Viola tricolor) represents communities of the Southern Urals forest belt (Kashapov, 1985; Filinov et al., 2002; Yamalov et al., 2012). Three regional alliances of forest meadows well correspond to the syntaxonomy structure of the class Brachypodio pinnati–Betuletea pendulae Ermakov et al. 1991 with three orders — Carici macrourae–Pinetalia sylvestris Ermakov et al. 1991 (mostly Altai-Sayan mountains), Calamagrostio epigeii–Betuletalia pendulae Korolyuk ex Ermakov et al. 2000 (West Siberian Plain) and Chamaecytiso ruthenici–Pinetalia sylvestris Solomeshch et Ermakov in Ermakov et al. 2000 (Southern Ural). Ranges of this forest orders overlap the areas of corresponding meadow alliances in general. The coniferous and deciduous forests are replaced by grasslands in natural or anthropogenic chronosequences leading to a floristic similarity ­between forest and meadow communities. The moisture gradient is significant for the species composition of meadows. It determines the division of alliances into suballiances of moderately moist and dry forest meadows. Many of xeromesophytes of the class Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Klika et Hadać 1944 and the order Galietalia veri Mirkin et Naumova 1986 are used as differential species of dry forest meadow suballiances. In diagnosis of moderately moist communities we use forest ­hygromesophytes. The suballiance Crepidenion sibiricae suball. nov. unites moderately moist forest meadows of humid and subhumid regions of the Altai-Sayan mountains. The associations of Aconito barbati–Vicenion unijugae suball. nov. prefer drier habitats. The alliance Anthrisco sylvestris–Aconitenion volubilis suball. nov. is restricted to the Ob-Irtysh watershed (south-eastern regions of the West Siberian Plain). The communities are located at the edges of wet deciduous forests. The west siberian suballiance Heracleo sibirici–Artemisenion macranthae suball. nov. is widespread in southern part of forest zone and northern part of forest-steppe zone. The suballiance Polygonenion krasсheninnikovii Mukhamediarova ex Yamalov et Sultangareeva 2010 represents ­moderately moist meadows of the Southern Ural mountain forest belt. Communities are common both on gentle slopes and in river valleys wh ere they occupy edges and clearings in pine and pine-birch ­forests. Dry variants of forest meadows are included in the suballiance Amoriо montanae–Polygonenion krasсheninnikovii Yamalov suball. nov. These communities are common both on convex slopes and hilltops as well as in dry habitats of river valleys in forest belt along the Southern Urals and forest-steppe belt of the South-Eastern Urals. The analysis of moisture conditions using species indicator values (Korolyuk, 2006) shows similar borderlines between the moderately moist and dry forest meadows: near 61 grade in the Altai-Sajan and Ural mountains, 62 grade — for the West Siberian Plain with wide distribution of the waterlogged landscapes. The analysis of forest meadows demonstrates the necessity in the revision of some associations and subassociations. Formally defined differential species in many cases differ from ones proposed by authors of syntaxa. Some associations are represented by a few relevés and need an additional data. Ecological ranges of some syntaxa along the moisture gradient are overlapped that explains the importance of ecological and geographical analysis of associations and subassociations.

Oplemenjivanje manje poznatih krmnih biljaka za održivu poljoprivredu

There is a lack of knowledge on the diversity and geographical distribution of less utilized species in agriculture. Breeding programmes of minor crops are very important for increasing the diversity in agriculture and for sustainable agriculture. Input materials in most cases are crop wild relatives of main cultivated forage species like alfalfa, red clover, white clover, etc. Gathering, growing and breeding of crop wild relatives has a long tradition in the Czech Republic. In the workplace in Troubsko it has been done for 60 years. The result of this activity is 21 registered varieties of different minor crops (Trifolium pannonicum, Lablab purpureus, Lathyrus sativus, Trigonella foenum-graecum etc.) and many breeding lines included in the state registration trials (Astragalus cicer, Trifolium alpestre, Galega orientalis etc.). One of the results of breeding programme is a unique variety Trifolium pratense x Trifolium medium (Trifolium x permixtum) - PRAMEDI. The variety was bred as interspecific hybridisation of the red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv. Tatra (2n = 4x = 28) and zigzag clover (T. medium L.) (2n = 8x = 64). It is perennial legume species, which is suitable as substitution of the red clover, especially in dry and warm regions. The height, flowering time and quality are comparable to standard tetraploid red clover varieties. By the plants short underground rhizomes are frequent and the plants have better persistence. .

Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium availability on emergence, nodulation and growth of Trifolium medium L. in alkaline soil

Little is known about the effects of nutrient availability on the growth of Trifolium medium in alkaline soil. In 2010, a pot experiment (10 N, P and K fertiliser treatments) with seeding of T.medium into alkaline soil was performed and emergence of seedlings, survival, aboveground and belowground organs were studied. The positive effects of increased nutrient availability on seedling emergence ranged from 5% in the control to 17% in the high P treatment. The lowest mortality was in treatments with P and K supply and the highest in treatments with N supply, due to the sensitivity of young plants to high N availability. The highest values of most measured aboveground plant traits were recorded in treatments with simultaneous application of N, P and K. There were highly positive effects of P supply alone or in combination with N and K on the development of belowground organs. Taproot length ranged from 11.5 in high N to 40.2cm in P treatment. There was a negative effect of N application on nodulation, especially in N treatments, where growth of T.medium was limited by insufficient P supply. The number of nodules per plant ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 in the high N and P treatments. As demonstrated in this study, T.medium is a potentially suitable legume for alkaline soils. It requires a relatively high P and K supply as well as moderate mineral N supply to achieve its maximum growth potential.

Triterpene Saponins from the Aerial Parts of Trifolium medium L. var.sarosiense

Seven previously unreported triterpene glycosides (1-7) were isolated from methanol extract of the aerial parts of Trifolium medium var. sarosiense (zigzag clover). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with ESI-MS and HRMS analyses. Compounds 1-7 are oleanane derivatives characterized by the presence of a keto group at C-22 of an aglycone and a primary alcoholic function at C-24 and differing functions at C-30. Among these, compounds 1-3 and 6 showed a secondary alcoholic function at C-11, which is methoxylated in compounds 4 and 7. Compound 5 was shown to possess a known aglycone, wistariasapogenol A; however, it is described here for the first time as a saponin constituent of the Trifolium genus. Some aspects of taxonomic classification of zigzag clover are also discussed.

Some chemical and morphological properties of five clover species (Trifolium sp.) at different aspect of pasture in Belovets village (Razgrad), Bulgaria

The aim of investigation was to determine the effects of aspect (north and south) on some morphological [plant height (cm), number of stems per plant, main stem diameter (mm), number of leaves per main stem, petiole length (cm), leaflet length (cm), leaflet width (cm), leaf: stem ratio] and chemical [crude protein (%), crude cellulose (%), calcium (%), phosphorus (%), potassium (%) and magnesium (%) ratios] properties of five clover species [hare’s-food clover (Trifolium arvense L.), field clover (T. campestre Schreb.), suckling clover (T. dubium Sibth.), alsike clover (T. hybridum L.) and zigzag clover (T. medium L.)] in pasture vegetation. The plant height, main stem diameter, number of leaves per main stem, petiole length, leaflet length, leaflet width, leaf: stem, crude protein, crude cellulose, calcium and potassium ratios were affected by aspect. The maximum plant height (65.53 cm), leaf: stem ratio (1.17) and crude protein ratio (20.00%) were found in zigzag clover on north-facing of pasture. The highest magnesium ratio (0.41%) and lowest number of stems per plant (4.85) were determined from the zigzag clover. The hare’s-food clover showed lower values (P<0.01) than the other clovers for phosphorus content (0.275%). The main stem diameter ranged from 3.53 to 5.27 mm. The north-facing of pasture had highest number of leaves per main stem (17.07) and petiole length (1.83 cm). The maximum leaflet length (3.50 cm) and width (2.55 cm) were measured for alsike clover on north-facing of pasture. The highest crude cellulose (28.23%) and calcium (3.13%) ratios were determined in hare’s-food clover on south-facing of pasture, whereas the lowest potassium ratio (2.37-2.39) was found in same clover species on each aspect of pasture.

Antioxidant activity in the leaves of Melilotus albus and Trifolium medium from man-made disturbed habitats in the Middle Urals under the influence of copper

Physiological mechanisms of adaptation to copper-induced stress in two widespread legume plants, white sweet clover (Melilotus albus Merik.) and zigzag clover (Trifolium medium L.), growing in habitats differing in the man-made pollution. An antioxidant plant defense system was activated in response to 10 mM CuSO4, which is a stress factor. Specific biochemical features related to adaptation to soil contamination with copper were observed in tested plant species. Superoxide dismutase was activated in response to stress in both species from various habitats. M. albus from the impact zone manifested the better capacity of proline accumulation as compared with plants from less polluted habitats. T. medium plants from the impact zone contained more active peroxidase. It was suggested that plants growing for a long time under stressful conditions manifest the greater tolerance to copper ions than plants, which did not experience stress or were subjected to the milder stress.

The phytocoenoses of anthropogenically transformed areas with a great importance for Apoidea

The paper indicates the phytocenoses most rich in bee taxons and occurring in habitats located along railway lines crossing Lublin Upland. To date, in the study area 124 basic phytocoenoses have been discovered, described and classifi ed into 12 different synecological groups. Among 52 phytocoenoses, the participation of bee flora was considerable. Most voluble phytocoenoses represent ruderal and segetal associations (&lt;i&gt;Artemisietea vulgaris&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Stellarietea mediae&lt;/i&gt; classes - 87 species), meadow and pasture associations (&lt;i&gt;Mollinio-Arrhenatheretea&lt;/i&gt; - 56 species), psammophilous and xerothermic grasslands (&lt;i&gt;Festuco&lt;/i&gt;- &lt;i&gt;Brometea&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Koelerio glauce&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;Corynophoretea canescensis&lt;/i&gt; - 38 species), thermophilous forest edge communities and thickets (&lt;i&gt;Trifolio&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;Geranietea&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Rhamno&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;Prunetea&lt;/i&gt; - 33 species). Significantly fewer melliferous and polleniferous taxons were noticed in mesophilous deciduous forests or thermophilous oak forests - 29 species. Most simple in structure and species richness are associations with &lt;i&gt;Rumex acetosa&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Reseda lutea&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Linaria vulgaris&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Papaver rhoeas&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Cirsium arvense&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Oenothera biennis&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Viola arvensis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Potentilletum anserine&lt;/i&gt; or &lt;i&gt;Sisymbrietum altissimi&lt;/i&gt;. The communities form patches (15-20 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;) with 80-100% cover of the diagnostic taxon and are of low or medium stability. The most persistent and floristically stable are &lt;i&gt;Tanaceto Artemisietum&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Rudbeckio&lt;/i&gt;- &lt;i&gt;Solidaginetum&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Echio&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;Melilotetum&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Sambucetum nigrae&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Rubo fruticosi&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;Prunetum spinosae&lt;/i&gt; and communities with &lt;i&gt;Rosa rugosa&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Rubus caesius&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Geranium robertianum&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Pastinaca sativa&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Trifolium medium&lt;/i&gt; or &lt;i&gt;Euphorbia cyparissias&lt;/i&gt;. The maintenance of the mosaic of phytocoenoses in anthropogenically transformed habitats, including those along railway lines, is of decisive importance for the protection of floristic diversity and adaptation processes of Apoidea.

Effect of earthworm on growth of late succession plant species in postmining sites under laboratory and field conditions

Earlier studies of postmining heaps near Sokolov, Czech Republic (0–46 years old) showed that massive changes in plant community composition occur around 23 year of succession when the heaps are colonized by the earthworms Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffm.) and Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny). The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that the introduction of earthworms into a postmining soil enhances growth of late succession plant species. In a laboratory experiment, earthworms significantly increased biomass of Festuca rubra and Trifolium hybridum grown in soil from a 17-year-old site. The biomass increase corresponded to a significant decrease in pH and an increase in oxidable C, total N, and exchangeable P, K, and Ca content. A second laboratory experiment showed higher biomass production of late successional plant community (Arrhenatherum elatius, Agrostis capillaris, Centaurea jacea, Plantago lanceolata, Lotus corniculatus, and Trifolium medium) in soil from late successional stage (46 years old); the introduction of earthworms into soil from an early successional stage (17 years old) increased biomass production. In a field experiment, introduction of L. rubellus to enclosures containing a 17-year-old soil not colonized by earthworms significantly increased the biomass of grasses after 1 year. The results support the hypothesis that colonization of postmining areas by earthworms can substantially modify soil properties and plant growth.

Hybrids between Trifolium medium and Trifolium pratense

HereditasVolume 101, Issue 2 p. 267-268 Open Access Hybrids between Trifolium medium and Trifolium pratense ARNULF MERKER, ARNULF MERKER SvalofAB, S-26800 Svalov, SwedenSearch for more papers by this author ARNULF MERKER, ARNULF MERKER SvalofAB, S-26800 Svalov, SwedenSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1984 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5223.1984.tb00927.xCitations: 6AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume101, Issue2December 1984Pages 267-268 RelatedInformation

Interspecific hybridization in the genus Trifolium

AbstractThe genus Trifolium (Leguminosae) or clovers includes a number of agriculturally important forage species. In particular Trifolium repens (white clover) and Trifolium pratense (red clover) are widely used in temperate livestock agriculture. Interspecific crossing programmes within this genus have been carried out for more than 50 years, in many cases involving embryo rescue or ovule culture techniques. In general, the aims of these have been twofold: to aid understanding of evolutionary relationships within the genus and to introgress useful traits, predominantly into white or red clover. In the case of white clover, the greatest efforts have been made with respect to crossing with Trifolium nigrescens and Trifolium ambiguum. Novel germplasm has been developed and useful traits transferred, although no material has yet been commercialized. The main emphasis with respect to red clover has been increasing longevity through crosses with more persistent species, particularly Trifolium medium. Again, this work has not yet resulted in new varieties. Wider crossing programmes, allied in recent years to comparisons at the DNA level, have shed considerable light on the systematics and evolution of the genus. The future of interspecific hybridization for improvement of the agriculturally important clovers and the role of molecular approaches in this are discussed.

Influences of elevated ozone and carbon dioxide in growth responses of lowland hay meadow mesocosms

We studied the effects of relatively low levels of O3 (40–50ppb) and CO2-enrichment (+100ppm) on a northern European lowland hay meadow during the summers 2002–2004 using open-top chambers (OTCs) and ground-planted mesocosms. Ozone reduced the aboveground biomass of the community (up to 40%), and four out of seven species (Campanula rotundifolia, Fragaria vesca, Trifolium medium, Vicia cracca) showed either significant growth reduction and/or visible injuries under elevated O3. However, the reductions in aboveground biomass were not reflected as changes in the dominance of different functional groups or in the total community root biomass. Elevated CO2 did not amend the detrimental effects of O3 on aboveground biomass. Elevated CO2 alone had only minor effects. An O3-induced reduction in the aboveground biomass and N pool of the community are likely to have important consequences in the nutrient cycling of the ecosystem.

Changes in the species composition and conservation value of limestone grasslands in Northern Switzerland after 22 years of contrasting managements

Abstract An experiment was established to assess the long-term effects of six different management types on the species composition of dry limestone grasslands with the aim of finding an alternative to the traditional management (mowing annually in July) which is no longer economically viable. In addition to the traditional management (JU1), the following management types were applied experimentally for 22 years: mowing every 2 years in July (JU2), every 5 years (JU5), or not at all (ABN, abandonment), mowing annually in October (OCT), and controlled burning annually (CBR) at the end of winter. There were two study sites, Grate and Gratental, near Schaffhausen in N Switzerland, each with three replicate 5 m×10 m plots for every management. During the course of the experiment, the vegetation was recorded on 10 occasions, yielding 306 vegetation releves containing a total of 124 species. These data were analysed using correspondence analyses (CA). In addition, changes in the abundance of 16 plant species with high cover, high frequency or particular importance for nature conservation were examined in detail. The CA showed that the vegetation of the two study sites differed considerably, but that in both sites the various management types led to changes in floristic composition which were probably continuing even after 22 years. At the end of the experiment, on the Grate site, species number in comparison to JU1 had declined in the following progressive order: OCT, JU2, JU5, CBR, ABN, where it was down to 70%. At the Gratental site, species number showed no clear pattern, because of the immigration of ‘new’ species from the surrounding hedges and agricultural fields. Interestingly, Bromus erectus , the dominant species with a cover of 40–70% at the beginning, decreased to 5–30% under different managements, mainly because the regeneration of its tufts is affected by abandonment and particularly burning. The rhizomatous Brachypodium pinnatum showed the opposite pattern and increased from 5% to 60% in CBR. Trifolium medium as well as Salvia pratensis , Primula veris and other long-lived forbs of high conservation value tended to be favoured by OCT, CBR and/or ABN because they can store nutrients if they are not annually cut in July. On the other hand, several low growing species like Anthyllis vulneraria and Hieracium pilosella need the better light conditions associated with the annual mowing in July for optimal growth. In every management type, some species of high conservation value decreased whereas others increased! According to our results, the best strategy—for achieving and maintaining a high species diversity—is a mosaic of different management types, i.e. a central part of the grassland managed traditionally, i.e. mown annually in July, and large strips at the margins mown only every second year in July or October. When mown in October, the soil has to be nutrient-poor and the site isolated from the seed rain of forest fringe species, which otherwise could become dominant and lead to a decline in species. The alternative of mowing the whole area every second year in July or annually in October (with the same restrictions for mowing in October) it is not completely satisfactory because several species may be lost in the long term.

Legumes for South Island tussock grassland environments - an evaluation of plant survival and growth at some inland Otago and Canterbury trials

Many legumes have been trialled for establishment, persistence and productivity in the tussock grassland region of the South Island, New Zealand. This paper presents information on long-term persistence and growth based on a survey of surviving legume species from 45 previous plant accession trials, established over a range of sites and environments (predominantly dryland) throughout Otago and Canterbury. Sites were visited in January/February 2003 and identified plants were visually scored for several growth-related parameters. Most sites were open to stock grazing and all were affected by drought during the current growing season. Of the legume species that seed is not commercially available for in New Zealand, the most persistent and vigorous were: Lupinus polyphyllus, Trifolium medium, Coronilla varia, Dorycnium hirsutum, Melilotus alba and M. officinalis, Astragalus falcatus, T. canescens, D. pentaphyllum, and A. cicer. These plants may usefully supplement tussock grassland vegetation under environmental and management conditions including periodic drought and the moderate to light grazing experienced at most of the trial sites visited. This paper reviews growth and survival of those legumes, and provides a guide to species with potential for revegetation in dryland and semi-arid environments that warrant further research into site x management interactions and possibly commercial development. Key words: legume persistence, Otago/Canterbury, revegetation, tussock grassland

Breeding potential of the backcross progenies of a hybrid between Trifolium medium × T. pratense to T. pratense

In this study, T. medium (zigzag clover, 2n = 80 and T. pratense (red clover, 2n = 28) were hybridized and backcrossed four times to T. pratense (BC1, BC2, BC3and BC4), and the seed production and vigor of the backcross progenies were assessed under field conditions. Both female and pollen fertility of the backcross progenies increased as the backcross generations advanced. Female and pollen fertility of BC4 were 21.3 and 65.3%, respectively. When honeybees were used as pollinators, almost all BC4 plants produced mature seeds in the field. Most of the BC1, BC2, and BC3 plants died by the end of the fourth year in the field, whereas 61% of the BC4 plants survived for 4 yr. The number of chromosomes in 79% of the BC4 plants was more than 28, which is greater than that of T. pratense. Differences in leaflet size and shape between BC4 plants and T. pratense suggest that genes from T. medium were expressed in the BC4 plants. These results indicate that BC4 plants may be useful for the improvement of the persistence of T. pratense. Key words: Backcross progeny, breeding material, interspecific hybridization, Trifolium medium, Trifolium pratense

Habitat quality of field margins in a Finnish farmland area for bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Bombus and Psithyrus)

Of all non-arable habitats, field margins are the most important ones for bumblebees in agricultural environment, especially as they are wide-spread and offer food resources, but they are also places for reproduction and overwintering. This study was made to investigate bumblebee abundance in the agricultural environment and to obtain information on the use of southern Finnish field margins by bumblebees. Bumblebees and cuckoo bumblebees were studied in a farmland area in Lammi, southern Finland, in 1996. Line-transect counts in field margins were made to compare habitat availability of patches of farmland and qualities of field margins within the patches. Landscape variables, dicotyledonous flower abundances and ecological and morphological characteristics of flowers were used as factors to explain variation in bumblebee assemblages and their frequencies of visits to the field margins. Bumblebee species richness and total density were higher in patches of farmland where field margins had more dicotyledonous flowers rather than being grassy. Abundance and flowering phenology of a limited number of flower species during the bumblebee breeding season were the most important factors explaining bumblebee visits in field margins. The most important flower species was zigzag clover ( Trifolium medium). The width of field margins was significantly related to the total density of bumblebees and cuckoo bumblebees, but not species number or diversity.

Consumption rates and food preferences of slugs in a calcareous grassland under current and future CO2 conditions.

This study explored consumption of a generalist herbivore feeding on leaf tissue of various plant species of a calcareous grassland, and tested whether consumption levels and preferences changed when plants were exposed to 5 years of in situ CO2 enrichment. The first part of this experiment tested whether the consumption patterns of slugs (Deroceras reticulatum) observed in single-species feeding tests were altered when slugs were given a choice of food sources. Overall consumption increased 270% when slugs were given a choice, and they preferred having a choice of food sources more than they preferred having any one food source. Surprisingly, slugs consumed fewer legumes and grasses and more non-leguminous forbs when given a choice. In the second part of this experiment, feeding behaviors of slugs in response to elevated CO2 were investigated by feeding them leaves of two legumes, one grass, and a non-leguminous forb (Trifolium medium, Lotus corniculatus, Bromus erectus, and Sanguisorba minor, respectively) in two or four species combinations. In the leguminous species mix, the non-leguminous species mix, and the combined mix (legumes and non-legumes), neither overall consumption by herbivores nor species preference was significantly altered by long-term CO2 enrichment. In the combined species mix, slugs preferred legumes to non-legumes (P=0.012) and exhibited a weak functional group preference shift from non-legumes to legumes (P=0.089) in response to CO2 enrichment. This is the first time such a shift has been observed, and provides evidence that there may be multiple herbivore responses to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Numerous single-species feeding tests using insects have shown that consumption by herbivores may increase when herbivores are fed plants grown in enriched CO2 atmospheres. This study clearly demonstrates the limited applicability of non-choice feeding trials to generalist herbivores in species-rich communities.

Establishment response of 12 legumes to nitrogen fertiliser rate and placement when direct drilled into Hieracium‐infested, montane tussock grasslands

Field experiments were undertaken on two infertile and acidic soils in the semi‐arid Mackenzie Basin, South Island, New Zealand, to determine the influence of fertiliser placement and rate of N application (0, 15, or 30 kgN ha−1) on the establishment and growth of legumes following overdrilling in spring in the presence or absence of glyphosate herbicide spray. The legumes used were white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (T. pratense), zigzag clover (T. medium), alsike clover (T. hybridum), Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), lotus (L. pedunculatus), crown vetch (Coronilla varia), and perennial lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus). Seedling germination/emergence after nine weeks was significantly lower when superphosphate was drilled with the seed rather than 20 mm below (17.2 and 19.4 seedlings m−1 row, respectively). Early seedling numbers were also significantly lower when 15 or 30 kg N ha−1 was drilled with the seed (17.2 compared with 13.8 and 9.5 seedlings m−1 row, respectively) but not when N was drilled 20 mm below the seed. Seedling numbers declined in all treatments over summer, and 32 weeks after sowing, numbers were only significantly lower when 30 kg ha−1 N was drilled with the seed (11.1 and 7.9 m−1, respectively). Early seedling growth of legumes, apart from lupin, responded to N, the largest increases occurring where N was drilled with the seed. Although individual plant weight increases where N was drilled with the seed were still evident 32 weeks after sowing, legume DM yields were not significantly affected because of the lower establishment. Plant growth 32 weeks after sowing was affected by competition from existing vegetation, and increases in individual plant weight and legume DM yield from N occurred only where herbicide was applied. Basal superphosphate was more effective when it was drilled with rather than below the seed. The role of N fertiliser in the establishment of legumes overdrilled into low fertility situations is discussed.