PERFORMANCE OF CAUCASIAN AND ZIGZAG CLOVERS

Abstract

Production of two rhizomatous clovers, Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) and zigzag clover (T. medium), was assessed under a number of fertility regimes. Caucasian clover annual dry matter production was of 12 t/ha for cv. Treeline on a fertile lowland soil, 8.5 t/ha for cv. Prairie on a moderately fertile hill country soil and 2.5 t/ha for cv. Prairie on a low fertility high country soil. For a 30 year old stand of zigzag clover on a moderately fertile high country soil estimated DM yields ranged from 2 t/ha under low fertiliser applications to 10 t/ha under high fertiliser rates. The stand gave a 3.2 t DM/ha response to the addition of 50 kg/ha sulphur alone. Both clovers are very persistent and appear to remain productive for several years in the absence of fertiliser applications