Effect of sowing method and fertiliser application on establishment and first season growth of Caucasian clover
Effect of sowing method and fertiliser application on establishment and first season growth of Caucasian clover
Moorhead, A. J. E. ; White, J. G. H. ; Jarvis, Peter ; Lucas, Richard J. ; Sedcole, John R.
Moorhead, A. J. E.
White, J. G. H.
Jarvis, Peter
Lucas, Richard J.
Sedcole, John R.
Date
1994
Type
Conference Contribution - published
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Abstract
A trial to measure the effects of establishment
techniques and fertiliser application on seedling
establishment and early root and rhizome
development of Caucasian clover (Trifolium
ambiguum) was sown in early October 1992, on a
low-fertility, depleted short tussock grassland site
at Mesopotamia Station, South Canterbury. Three
sowing techniques, broadcasting, sod seeding and
strip seeding, each with, two rates of fertiliser,
150 or 300 kg/ha molybdic sulphur superphosphate,
were used. By mid December, 48 and 38%
establishment had occurred in the strip and sod
seeding respectively, but only 9% in the broadcast.
Strip seeding was the most successful
technique resulting in earlier rhizome and tap-root development and wider lateral spread of
rhizomes. However, both strip seeding and sod
seeding resulted in all plants developing rhizomes
9 months after sowing. Plants from broadcasting
were small with few rhizomes in the first season.
The higher fertiliser rate improved establishment
and growth, particularly in the strip seeding
treatment; By using a strip seeding technique Caucasian clover was established as rapidly as
white clover and plants of both species were
similar in size after 5 months.
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Copyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.