This study set out to compare plant function and
performance of strawberry clover to that of white clover.
To test this, the two species were exposed to drought for
4 weeks under controlled environmental conditions. Water
stress reduced the size and dry matter of white clover
leaves by more than 50%, whereas strawberry clover
leaves remained unaffected. White clover photosynthesis
decreased by nearly 50% under drought, accompanied
by a reduction in leaf water status (water potential) by
more than one third. In contrast, strawberry clover
maintained a higher water status, photosynthesis and
transpiration rate under drought than white clover. In
addition, we observed drought-induced reductions in
white clover leaf quality, including lower nitrogen levels.
We conclude that strawberry clover displays drought
resistance in a number of key leaf parameters. The
findings suggest value in testing strawberry clover as a
complement or alternative to white clover in droughtprone
pasture environments.[Show full abstract]
![[PDF]](/themes/LURA/images/mimes/b_pdf.png "PDF file"){kind=small}
