TOWARDS IMPROVING THE ALUMINIUM TOLERANCE OF WHITE CLOVER

Abstract

The objective of this study was to use two growth media to determine the extent of intraspecific variation for aluminium (Al).tolerance within white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Grasslands Huia). A further objective was to evaluate the sensitivity of the germinating and establishing seedling to Al. Addition of Al (500 mg kg-1 of soil) as Ah(SO,), to the Wainui silt loam (Typic Dystrochrept) which caused severe reductions in shoot growth of 30 d seedlings, only slightly reduced the germination or establishment of the seedling. This is an important finding as little would be gained from improving, by selection, Al tolerance in white clover if the plant was unable to germinate and establish in such unfavourable conditions. Sufficient intraspecific variation in Al tolerance exists within white clover to select for a superior Al-tolerant cultivar. Keywords: White clover, Trifolium repens, aluminium tolerance, soil culture, solution culture.