Long-term effects of pastoral fallowing on the distribution and performance of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in a hill country pasture

Abstract

Previous work found that white clover (Trifolium repens L.) yield initially decreased, but subsequently increased following a pastoral fallow. The objective of this research was to quantify the response in herbage production and stolon characteristics of white clover up to 4 years after fallowing. Four treatments were used: fallowed 1990/91 (F4), fallowed 1991/92 (F3), fallowed 1993/94 (F1) and non-fallowed (F0). The fallowing period was between September and May. White clover dry matter yield (between 15/12/94 and 18/5/95) was significantly greater for the treatment F4 than F0 (P<0.05). Total herbage and grass production showed no statistical difference between treatments. The total stolon length (98.1 m/m2) of F4 was significantly greater than that of F3 (45.9 m/m2) and F0 (39.3 m/m2). Total stolon weight and growing point density also increased significantly during the 4 year post-fallow period (P<0.05). The average internode length remained greater until 6 months after fallowing (2.8 mm) and declined thereafter (1.9-2.3 mm). It is concluded that the increase in white clover postfallowing was attributed to its ability to disperse through the pasture during fallowing and re-establish in gaps in the pasture where it had previously not been present. Keywords: hill country, pastoral fallow, stolon, Trifolium repens