Spring defoliation of white clover seed crops. 1. Inflorescence production of contrasting white clover cultivars |
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| Authors: | A H MARSHALL P A HOLLINGTON † D H HIDES |
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| Institution: | AFRC Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth, UK |
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| Abstract: | Three white clover cultivars, S184 (small-leaved), Menna (medium-leaved) and Olwen (large-leaved), were sown at a seed rate of 3 kg ha-1 under spring wheat cv. Tonic. In the spring of the two following years, there were three pre-bud emergence mechanical defoliation treatments on which were superimposed four post-bud emergence treatments giving a total of twelve cutting treatments. Pre-bud emergence, plots were either cut twice (at approximately two weeks before bud emergence and at bud emergence), cut once at bud emergence or not cut. To each treatment were applied four post-bud emergence treatments: plots were not cut or cut once (one, two or three weeks after bud emergence). Counts of the total number of inflorescences and of the proportions in various ripeness categories were made throughout the period of seed crop development to determine the pattern of inflorescence development and optimum harvest date. Overall, inflorescence numbers were greatest in cv. S184and least in cv. Olwen. Defoliation before bud emergence had no effect on inflorescence production; however, it was significantly influenced by defoliation after bud emergence. Although delaying the initial development of the crop, inflorescence numbers of all cultivars were highest in both years following cuts two and three weeks after bud emergence. Optimum harvest date was not affected by defoliation or cultivar, numbers of ripe inflorescences in both years reaching a peak at the end of August. The number of brown inflorescences, which may also contribute to seed yield, reached a peak in both years in late July. Seasonal differences in inflorescence production were again observed, emphasizing the difference between first and second year crops and importance of climate in while clover seed production. The implications of these differences in numbers and proportions of inflorescences in various ripeness categories under different defoliation regimes are discussed in relation to seed crop management in the UK. |
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