Nutrient storage in roots and rhizomes of hexaploid Caucasian clover

Abstract

Hexaploid Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb. (Caucasian clover cv. Prairie) persisted and dominated in high country plots which received more than 100 kg P/ha at establishment. After 13 years the biomass of coarse roots (rhizomes and tap-roots) amounted to 20 t/ha. The contents of nutrients in the root fractions were approximately five times that in the herbage. This ability to retain nutrients in coarse roots may be a strategy that contributes to the dominance of Caucasian clover on this acid soil. Keywords: nutrients, phosphorus, roots, Trifolium ambiguum