Trifolium Vesiculosum Research Articles

Response of Arrowleaf Clover to Postemergence Herbicides1

AbstractPresently there are no herbicides cleared for weed control in arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) a proven legume for pasture mixtures in the sunbelt. The objective of the study was to determine the selectiveness of 2,4‐DB [4‐(2,4dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid], 2,4‐D [ (24dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid], bromoxynil [3,5dibromo‐4‐hydroxbenzonitrile], MCPA [((4‐chloro‐o‐to1yl)oxy) acetic acid], and dicamba [3,6dichloro‐oanistic acid] for the control of various broadleaf weeds in arrowleaf clover. Field studies were conducted at three locations. Soil classification for these location are: Aquic Paleudolls for location I, Ultic Haplustalfs for location II, and Mollis Albaqualfs for location III. At all three locations the herbicides were applied postemergence to actively growing arrowleaf plants (5 to 15 cm in height) in late March or early April. Visual damage to arrowleaf clover and weeds was estimated after several weeks. Forage production from the various treatments was determined from June samplings and seed production of arrowleaf was determined from July samplings. Of the herbicides evaluated, 2,4DB at 0.56 kg/ha was consistently selective to arrowleaf clover and adequately controlled the broadleaf weeds including seed stalk formation of curly dock (Rumex crispus L.). MCPA at 0.56 kg/ha also controlled the broadleaf weeds but was not consistently selective on arrowleaf clover. The 0.56 kg/ha rate of 2,4‐D also controlled the broadleaf weeds and significantly reduced the forage production of arrowleaf clover. Seed production with the 2,4‐D treatment (0.56 kg/ha rate) was not suppressed as much as forage production and the decrease was only significant at one location. A combination of 2,4D and banvel (0.42 and 0.14 kg/ha respectively) severely damaged the arrowleaf and could be used as a treatment to control arrowleaf clover.

Germination of Cool Season Annual Clovers1

AbstractInformation on the effect of temperature on germination of the major cool season annual clover species adapted to the southeastern United States is limited. Such data would be useful in determining optimum planting dates and reveal differences between species. Seed of arrowleaf (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.), crimson (Trifolium incarnatum L.), subterranean (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and Persian (Trifolium resupinatum L.) cultivars was placed on indented blotter pads in 90 ✕ 50 cm petri dishes. Petri dishes were placed in a low temperature incubator and subjected to day/night temperatures of 15/5, 20/10, 25/15, 30/20 and 35/25 C with 12‐hour light periods which simulate natural temperatures during clover establishment in the southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Numbers of normal and abnormal seedlings were recorded every 2 days from the 3rd to the 13th day.Crimson and Persian clover had the fastest germination rate followed by subterranean and arrowleaf. Persian clover was the least responsive to temperature with only 11% difference in germination between treatments by day 13. Crimson clover reached maximum germination across all temperatures most rapidly with only 1 to 4% difference between day 9 and 13, but the number of abnormal seedlings was three to four times greater than the other clover species. Good germination of Persian and crimson clovers occurred at the highest temperature of 35/25 C. This could result in poor natural reseeding if hard seed content and dormancy decrease too quickly after seed maturation to prevent summer seed germination.Arrowleaf clover was affected most severely by the temperature treatments with maximum germination reaching only 17 and 9% under the 30/20 and 35/25 C treatments, respectively. Therefore, good arrowleaf seed germination occurs later in the fall than the other species which means less fall forage production and increases the risk of seedling damage by an early frost. Subterranean clover germination was depressed only at the 35/25 C treatment with the best germination rate at 30/20 C.

Occurrence of Pinitol in Foliage of Several Forage Legume Species1

Although it has been reported that (D) pinitol (1D‐3‐0‐ methyl‐chiro‐inositol) occurs naturally in leguminous species, there is a lack of information concerning its concentration in foliage of forage legumes. The purpose of this research was to determine the pinitol concentration in the foliage of several forage legume species and the relative concentration of pinitol in leaf, stem and root tissue. Pinitol concentration was determined in foliage of five cultivate of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 11 cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), 13 cultivars of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and 9 cultivars of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) grown in small field plots. Pinitol distribution in leaf, stem, and petiole tissue was determined for three cultivars of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) and Ladino white clover grown in the greenhouse There were minor but significant differences in pinitol concentration among cultivars within each species Pinitol concentration was nearly equal to sucrose concentration in red clover and birdsfoot trefoil foliage and nearly half as high in alfalfa and white clover cultivars The range of pinitol concentrations among species was only 6.7 mg/g of dry tissue, being lowest for red clover (20.4 mg/g) and highest for white clover foliage (27.1 mg/g). In general, concentrations of pinitol and sucrose were similar in leaf and stem tissue of greenhouse grown plants. Pinitol concentration was 4 to 8 times higher in the foliage than in root tissue. The data indicate a relatively high concentration of pinitol in the foliage from forage legumes and imply the need for research on pinitol metabolism, physiological function, and influence on forage quality.

Soil Temperature and Sewage Sludge Effects on Metals in Crop Tissue and Soils

AbstractEffects of soil temperature and sewage sludge application on plant and soil Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and Pb levels, soil pH, and soil organic matter were determined in a field experiment in which corn (Zea mays L.) was grown for 2 years in a sandy Typic Hapludult soil amended with 0, 56, and 112 metric tons/ha of sewage sludge at the start of the experiment. Soil temperature regimes of 16, 27, 35°C, and ambient (x̄ = 22°C) were applied to sludge treatments from May to October each year. Following removal of corn at the conclusion of the 1975 growing season, oats (Avena sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) were grown until the following spring.Sewage sludge application resulted in significant increases in soil organic matter, pH, and DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni. Soil heating to 35°C significantly reduced soil pH for all sludge rates compared to 16°C and ambient (22°C) temperatures by the conclusion the experiment. This decrease was greatest for plots amended with 112 metric tons/ha sewage sludge and least for the check plots. Soil temperature had no effect on levels of soil organic matter or DTPA extractable metals. Extractable Zn, Cu, and Ni levels increased from the start to the conclusion of the experiment.Concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd were increased in corn, legume, and small grain tissue by sludge treatments. Corn seedling Zn and Cu concentrations exceeded that in ear leaves, stover, and grain; lowest metal concentrations were found in the corn grain. Increasing soil temperature did not consistently affect Cu, Ni, Cd, or Pb concentrations in corn tissue. Zinc concentrations in corn tissue generally increased as soil temperature rose, but exceptions did exist. No residual soil temperature effects were observed on metal concentrations in legumes or small grains.

Beef Cow‐Calf Performance on Coastal Bermudagrass Overseeded with Winter Annual Clovers and Grasses1

AbstractOverseeding winter annuals on dormant ‘Coastal’ bermuda (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers) sod will lengthen the productive season and improve forage quality. Such management should result in more animal production, but little information is available for beef cow‐calf performance on overseeded sod. The objective of this study was to determine the performance of beef cows and calves on Coastal bermuda pasture at relatively low levels of N fertilization when overseeded with winter annual species. In a 3‐year southeastern Alabama study on Plinthic Paleudult soil, beef cows and calves were grazed on four Coastal bermuda sod treatments: (a) not overseeded + 112 kg/ha N; (b) overseeded ‘Gulp’ ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) + 168 kg/ha N; (c) overseeded ‘Wrens Abruzzi’ rye (Secale cereale L.), ‘Yuchi’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi), and ‘Autauga’ crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.) + 112 kg/ha N; and (d) overseeded arrowleaf and crimson clovers with no N fertilizer. Grazing season for treatments a‐d began respectively on 2 April, 14 February, 8 January, and 11 March with all ending 5 October. Calf gain in kg/ha/year for treatments a‐d averaged 328, 473, 628, and 460, respectively. Calf annual average daily gain (ADG) of 0.89 kg was higher (P<0.05) on rye‐clover clover than on ryegrass or non‐overseeded Coastal bermuda. Cow gain per ha and ADG were also increased by everseeding with clover. Overseeding sod with rye and clover resulted in nearly double the calf gain per ha and extended the grazing season 3 months longer than that of Coastal bermuda alone. Overseeding clovers alone with no N fertilizer resulted in calf gains equal to those for ryegrass overseeded on Coastal bermuda and fertilized with 168 kg/ha N.

Leaf, Petiole, and Stem Accumulation, and Digestibility in ‘Amclo’ Clover1

AbstractThe South has long needed a high yielding legume to complement the perennial grasses of the region. ‘Amclo’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) released in 1963 is high yielding and the forage is high in quality, but management required to maintain the high quality in the harvested feed is not known. We wanted to know the dry matter accumulation rate and digestibility during the active growth period. In 1973 and 1974, we measured dry matter accumulation and digestibility of leaves, stems, petioles and flowers of field grown volunteer stands of Amclo clover growing on Orangeburg loamy sand, a silicous thermic typic Paleudult by harvesting a new plot each week from January or February until June. The plant samples were separated into plant parts, dried, ground, and analyzed for in vitro digestible dry matter weekly throughout the experiment.By mid‐March leaflet and petiole production had maximized at 3,500 to 4,000 kg/dm/ha. Stem growth was active during April and by 2 May stem yield was approximately 6,000 kg/ha. During May stem growth slowed and flowering was active. Flower production averaged approximately 2,000 kg/ha. In vitro dry matter digestibility averaged 69% for leaves and 73% for petioles while stem digestibility dropped from 73% in March to 51% in June.Leaf N averaged 5.5% until mid‐April and fell to 3.2% in June. Petiole N averaged approximately 2% throughout the growth period and stem N was high in March but decreased rapidly in late April and May. By 6 June stem N was approximately 1%.Total forage N increased from 59 kg/ha in early February to 232 kg/ha on 11 April and remained constant at that level during May and into June.The arrowleaf clovers are growing in importance for both grazing and harvested feed. Value for each is related to the mix of leaves, petioles, and stems. This research shows the ratio and IVDMD of each over the life of the plant. The arrowleaf clovers are being used for grazing, hay, industrial forage, and silage over a wide range of uses and these data are expected to be widely used in making more effective management time of harvest decisions.

Soil Oxygen and Temperature Effect on Tetany Potential of Three Annual Forage Species1

AbstractGrass tetany, a metabolic disorder of cattle on pasture, has often been related to low Mg and high K levels, and high K/(Ca+Mg) equivalent ratios in forages. These forage mineral imbalances often occur during wet periods when soil O2 may be low. The effect of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 21% soil air O2, on Ca, Mg, and K contents of rye (Secale cereale L.), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) was studied in the growth chamber at 22 C day air temperatures and 12 or 16 C night temperatures.Increasing soil O2, had little effect on Ca or Mg content of rye forage but increased K from 2 to 5%, and increased the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio to over 4. Uptake of K, Ca, and Mg was generally lower at 12 than at 16 C. Ryegrass forage, grown at increasing soil air O2, had higher K, Ca, and Mg contents. Concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg in ryegrass were lower at 12 than at 16 C. Magnesium levels at 2 to 16% soil O2 were below the critical level of 0.2% at 12 C air temperature. Soil O2 had little effect on the composition of arrowleaf clover forage, except for a small increase in K.These results indicated that ryegrass forages, grown on poorly‐drained soil would likely be more tetany‐prone than that grown on well‐drained soil. However, rye forage would be more tetany‐prone when grown on well‐drained soil. The high Mg levels of arrowleaf clover showed its value in balancing tetany‐prone grass forage when it is maintained in a pasture.

Herbicide Influence on Arrowleaf Clover Seedling Establishment1

The chlorophenoxy and benzoic acid herbicides are used extensively for the control of pasture weeds. The increasing importance of legumes to the pasture ecosystem has made it necessary to determine the influence of these herbicides on certain forage species. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of chlorophenoxy and benzoic acid herbicides on ‘Amclo,’ ‘Yuchi,’ and ‘Meechi’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) germination and seedling development. The experiments were conducted in a programmed germinator and the greenhouse.Increasing 2,4‐D [(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] concentration decreased the percent germination of Yuchi. Whereas, 750 ppb 2,4,5‐T [(2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and MCPA ([(4‐chloro‐v.tolyl)oxy]acetic acid) 500 ppb 2,4‐DB[4.(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid] adversely influenced the seed germination of Yuchi, Amclo, and Meechi, respectively.The lowest concentration (63 ppb) of all herbicides except 2,4,5‐T reduced radicle development on all three cultivars. The 63 ppb treatment of 2,4,5‐T stimulated radicle development on Meechi and Yuchi. The order of increasing influence of these herbicides on seedling establishment was 2,4‐DB < 2,4,5‐T = 2,4‐D < MCPA = dicamba [3,6‐dichloro‐o‐anisic acid].

Productivity and Forage Quality of Yuchi Arrowleaf Clover1

AbstractPoor recovery growth after cutting in spring has been a problem with ‘Yuchi’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi). This research was conducted to study the effect of cutting management on persistence, forage yield, and quality of this winter annual clover.In field studies at two locations for 2 years, late spring clover recovery and forage production were dependent on cutting dates and height of plants when cut. Cutting at hay stage in late April or May eliminated stands and aftermath growth while cutting biweekly maintained stands although yields were reduced. Root carbohydrate levels declined during spring but were not related to cutting; treatment. A low number of buds at the base of the clover plants resulted in poor regrowth of forage. After early April, clover allowed to grow 60 to 90 cm tall before cutting had few buds at base of the plants. Maximum forage yields (7,300 kg/ha) were obtained by biweekly cutting until early April followed by a cutting of hay in late May.Digestible dry matter of forage was high, ranging from 80% in late winter to about 70% at early bloom stage in late May. Tannin content of forage ranged from 3 to 6% with leaves containing 2.5 times the tannin content of stems. This may account for the low incidence of bloat in cattle grazing this clover. Lysine content of the forage averaged 8.5% of the protein.

Inoculum Rate and Pelleting of Arrowleaf Clover Seed1

AbstractPoor nodulation and low winter forage production often result when arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) is seeded for the first time. Indigenous rhizobia in the soil may be more competitive than the normally limited number of seed‐applied rhizobia. Field and growth chamber experiments were carried out to determine the effects of inoculum rate and seed pelleting on nodulation and yield of arrowleaf clover in soils with intact microbial populations and where modified by soil fumigation.Doubling the inoculum rate, CaCO3 pelleting, or soil fumigation increased annual dry forage yields 1,200 to 2,000 kg/ha over that of the normal rate of inoculum. These treatments improved both nodulation and seedling growth. Winter forage yields were increased 200% by pelleting inoculated seeds with CaCO3. Seed pelleting was beneficial in nonfumigated soil, but not in fumigated soil, suggesting that pelleting made conditions more favorable for seed‐borne rhizobia to compete with native soil microorganisms. The presently recommended rate and method of application of inoculum are not satisfactory for rapid nodulation and maximum winter forage production of arrowleaf clover. Increasing the inoculum rate or pelleting the inoculated seeds should result in rapid nodulation and furnish more whiter forage.

Influence of Spring Mowing on Reseeding and Productivity of selected Annual Clovers in a Grass Sod1

AbstractIn a 3‐year experiment, we studied the effects of three spring mowing treatments on reseeding of selected varieties of crimson, arrowleaf and subterranean clovers grown in a coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) sod. Mowing on April 25 prevented satisfactory reseeding of crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and greatly reduced reseeding of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.). Clipping on May 25 prevented effective reseeding of arrowleaf clover but provided best reseeding of crimson clover. Subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) reseeded well under all three spring mowing treatments. Careful grazing management of crimson and arrowleaf clovers will be required after April 1 if reseeding is desired. Under conditions of spring drought, overgrazing may reduce regrowth and seed production and cause stand failures in the succeeding year. Properly managed winter‐annual clovers not only produced forage of high quality in the winter and spring, but also increased production of the associated grass.

Tolerance of Yuchi Arrowleaf Clover to Herbicides

Tolerance of Yuchi arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) to preemergence application of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) and isopropyl m-chlorocarbanilate (chlorpropham) and preplant incorporation of N-butyl-N-ethyl-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine (benefin), 4-(methylsulfonyl)-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropylaniline (nitralin), S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC), and S-propyl dipropylthiocarbamate (vernolate) were evaluated over a 3-year period on two soils. DCPA did not injure Yuchi arrowleaf clover in any experiments over the 3-year period. Lower rates of benefin and chlorpropham caused either moderate or no injury depending upon the year and location. Yield reductions of Yuchi clover generally were greater on the Norfolk than on the Lucedale soil. Early injury, as reflected by the first forage harvest, was transitory in many instances.

Management Effects on Forage Production and Digestibility of Yuchi Arrowleaf Clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi)1

Abstract‘Yuchi’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) produced more tillers and remained productive longer when cut at 1‐, 2‐, or 3‐week intervals than at 4‐, 5‐, or 6‐week intervals. Total yields were higher from less frequent cutting. Digestible dry matter (DDM) was high from December to maturity in June under all cutting frequencies. Stems of arrowleaf clover were higher in DDM than crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.).

Effect of Age at Harvest on Yield and Cell Wall Content of Amclo Clover1

AbstractDuring the falls of 1965 and 1966 ‘Amclo’ clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) was allowed to volunteer, and starting the following spring in mid‐March new plots were clipped each week to establish the rate of dry matter and cell wall development accumulation. The clipping was continued until early June at which stage the clover had matured. Data obtained indicated that Amclo was capable of producing more than 100 kg/ha of dry forage each day at the peak of productivity. In dry years, however, a much lower level of productivity can be expected. In the young vegetative forage, cell walls comprised less than 40% of the total yield. During flowering, cell walls increased to 40 to 47% of the total yield. At maturity cell walls increased to more than 50% of the total. Both yield and cell walls varied significantly between years.