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Seasonal yield changes in white clover varieties and ecotypes in Nova Scotia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Joanna Fraser
Joanna Fraser
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 5E3
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Summary

Two ecotypes and three varieties of white clover (Trifolium repens) of contrasting morphology were established in monoculture field plots in Truro, Nova Scotia (45° N) in July 1985. Destructive measurements were taken at monthly intervals from August to November 1985 and April to August 1986. The seasonal distribution of number of active stolons/m2, number of leaves, number of leaves per stolon, and lamina weight together with dry weights of leaves-I-petioles, stolons and flowers + peduncles were recorded. Number of leaves was inversely proportional to leaf weight, smaller-leaved varieties and ecotypes having higher leaf densities than large-leaved white clovers. Leaf and petiole dry-matter yields were related to leaf and number of active stolons in 1985 and to leaf weight increments in 1986. The two naturalized ecotypes exhibited considerably less leaf loss than the three varieties in a winter where mean minimum air temperatures drop to as low as – 13°C. There were considerable differences between ecotypes and between varieties in the seasonal distribution of leaves and petioles, stolon and flower dry weights over the limited time period of this study.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 110 , Issue 3 , June 1988 , pp. 609 - 617
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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