AN EVALUATION OF VARIOUS LEGUMES AT HIGH ALTITUDE

Abstract

The performance of 'Grasslands Huia' white clover, 'Grasslands Turoa and Pawera' red clovers, 'Grasslands Maku' lotus, alsike clover, Wairau lucerne and a mixture of Mt Barker and Tallarook subterranean clovers was evaluated over five seasons on sunny and shady faces at 1070m altitude in the MacKenzie basin, North Otago. Mean productions in tonnes/ha on sunny and shady sites respectively were: Huia 2.3 and 0.7, Turoa 3.0 and 1.2, Pawera 3.8 and 1.4, Maku 2.5 and 0, Alsike 2.6 and 1.4, Wairau 2.3 and 0.8, and the subterranean clovers nil. Their performance on these sites is discussed in relation to their possible use in mixtures for oversowing into tussock grasslands.