CLOVER - WHAT TYPES FOR DRY HILL COUNTRY?

Abstract

Subterranean clover and white clover plant material was collected from 85 sites located in summerdry northern North Island hill country. Plants of both species originating from this collection were grown and typed at Whatwhata Hill Country Research Station. Using several cultivars and selections as standards, measurements were made of morphological, flowering and reseeding characteristics. The subterranean clover population consisted of 44% Mt Barker type, 28% Tallarook type and the remainder an undetermined intermediate type. Mt Barker types in the collection tended to flower later and for longer than their Mt Barker standard, while Tallarook types tended to flower earlier and for longer than StandardTallarook. White clover plants were smaller and more densely leaved than 'Grasslands Huia', the population mean being similar to 'Grasslands Tahora'. A vast majority (7035%) of plants flowered earlier and yielded more seed than Huia and Tahora. An apparent shift in plant type has occurred within clover populations in summerdry hill country, the most notable being the development of a more flexible reseeding pattern. This type can be a future guide to breeding clovers suitable to these environment . Keywords: white clover, subterranean clover, flowering, seeding, morphology, type hill country