WHITE CLOVER CULTIVAR EVALUATION FOR THE WAIKATO: ESTABLISHMENT PHASE

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Abstract
Nine white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivars were established in a field trial near Hamilton to assess their adaptability to high fertility, intensively managed dairy pastures in the Waikato. The data presented are for the establishment phase of a three-year trial on Horotiu sandy loam in which cultivars will be evaluated for their persistence, competitiveness and Nt-fixing ability in the presence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and application of N fertiliser. Three entries from New Zealand were "Grasslands Huia", "Grasslands Pitau" and the Grasslands selection G18. Six cultivars from Europe were Aran, Blanca, Donna, Menna, Nesta and Sabeda. The cultivars represent a range of leaf sizes from medium-small to large. Aran and G18 (large leaved) generally developed stands with fewer thicker stolons than the other cultivars. Visual ratings of clover stand vigour during January to March 1983, . i.n.d.1,~a !e d that GiB had the greatest rate of estabiishment and ground cover despite its low stolon density. Perennial ryegrass seedling establishment was the least vigorous in G18 and Aran, and the most vigorous in Sabeda swards. Clover dry matter yields were generally highest for G18, Aran, Huia, Pitau and Donna, and lowest for Sabeda, Nesta and Menna. G18, Huia, Pitau, Eilanca and Donna maintained a higher clover content in the sward during the weedy establishment phase than the other cultivars. Keywords: Trifolium repens L., pasture establishment, white clover establishment.

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