Variation in Flowering Time among and within Populations of Trifolium arvense L. in New Zealand

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Abstract
Progenies were grown from a number of plants of Trifolium arvense from several localities in the South Island, New Zealand. Date of commencement of flowering was recorded, and means and within- and between-progenies variances computed. Means of samples from different localities, and of samples collected within localities varied considerably, but these differences could not be related to environmental differences between the collecting sites. It is suggested that random effects may be important in determining population means, and that the populations are strongly buffered against selective change. The breeding system of T. arvense in New Zealand is probably predominantly self-fertilisation, but with a significant amount of out-crossing.