EFFECT OF DENSITY OF PLANT POPULATION, PHOTOPERIOD, TEMPERATURE AND LIGHT INTENSITY ON INFLORESCENCE FORMATION IN WHITE CLOVER

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Abstract
During 1959–62 a study was nmdc of the effect or the density of plant population, photoperiod, temperature and light intensity on stolon rornialion, floral induetion, bud expansion and inflorescence development in S184 white clover.The density of the plant population alfected not only stolon and inflorescence formation, but also the root system. The‘open’ sward with about 60 plants per sq. yd gave the highest number of inflorescences per unit area, and al the same time contained few plants with tap roots.White clover had a long‐day photoperiodjc requirement, but there was variation between the individual plants in their requirements of daylength, temperature and light intensity.Overwintering did not appear to be essential for floral induction and primordia development. Too low or too high temperatures during the overwintering period appeared, respectively, to delay or stimulate vegetative growth, while both extremes of temperature seemed to delay floral induction and reduce inflorescence formation. A medium range of temperature (40°–55°F) followed by an increasing temperature, daylength and light intensity, appeared to be most satisfactory for primordia initiation and flowering.There is some inter‐relation between temperature and light intensity, but light intensity stimulates vegetative growth and development of the primordia, as well as being essential for the formation of numerous inflorescences.