How far have we come: 75 years ‘in clover’?
Abstract
We reflect on what has been a recurring theme in the
history of agricultural research in NZ – the understanding
that while we grow white clover for its capacity to fix
nitrogen, this increase in fertility ultimately passes to
benefit the accompanying grass. The association of clover
and grass is regarded both as a wonderful harmony upon
which our economy depends, but also as a competition
between species that too often defeats our efforts to realise
clover’s full potential. We review and revisit the nature
of the interaction between the species, and we offer some
radical approaches looking forward. These include simple
pragmatic options for management for immediate gains
in performance, and we identify the need for some critical
rethinking to fundamentally alter how grass and clover
interact.... [Show full abstract]