I. Comparison of ‘Grasslands Huia’ and ‘Grasslands Pitau’ white clovers

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Abstract
In a series of small-plot experiments the performance of two white clover cultivars ‘Grasslands Huia’ and ‘Grasslands Pitau’ was compared when grown in association with three ryegrass cultivars sown at two seed rates at five sites throughout New Zealand: Northland, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Southland. Pasture productivity and botanical composition were measured over a number of years at each site. The two clovers behaved similarly in relation to the effects of the companion ryegrass cultivars and the seeding rates used under the mowing and clippings returned regime. In the first year of measurement Titau swards were similar or inferior to Huia swards and in the second year Pitau swards were 4% lower yielding in Southland but 10% higher yielding in Northland. The production of Pitau swards improved with time relative to Huia swards. The seasonal yields showed Pitau was markedly inferior to Huia in the spring and to a less extent in summer in the South Island, but this inferiority decreased northwards until Pitau was superior in Northland. Pitau improved in autumn and winter production at all sites, although this was not always as significant in the total sward yields as the clover component. Performance of Pitau relative to Huia is discussed. These results indicate that Pitau is a cool-season-active white clover, but although it could replace Huia over a wide area in New Zealand, production advantages will occur mainly in the North Island. Pitau is a regionally adapted cultivar.