Seasonal root formation of white clover, ryegrass, and cocksfoot in New Zealand

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Abstract
Production of new nodal and branch roots of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was measured for 13 mo. New nodal root production of white clover and perennial ryegrass was highest during autumn, falling gradually throughout winter to a minimum in spring and summer. Percentage of new nodal roots at sample depths below 5 cm was higher during early spring in all species. Root production of white clover tended to persist at depth longer into the summer than that of the grasses. Production of branch roots showed a similar trend to that of nodal roots, except that white clover root growth in summer and autumn was higher than in spring. Correlations between root production and meteorological data are examined.