Weed seed contamination in white clover seedlots

Abstract

Weed seeds are the major reason for white clover (Trifolium repens) seedlots being downgraded or rejected from certification. The occurrence of weed species in 537 white clover seedlots tested at the Official Seed Testing Station, Palmerston North, was analysed. The most commonly occurring species were field madder (Sherardia arvensis), chickweed (Stellaria media), fathen (Chenopodium album), sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and scarlet pimpernel (Anagaflis arvensis). The percentage occurrence of four specified undesirable weeds including Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense) and dodder (Cuscuta epithymum) are reported, and the implications of seed contamination are discussed. Keywords: white clover, contamination, weed seeds