Differential tolerance of Trifolium subterraneum L. (subterranean clover) cultivars to broadleaf herbicides 1. Herbage yield

Abstract

The differential tolerance of 7 Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) cultivars to 5 broadleaf herbicide treatments applied at 2 rates was examined at 2 sites over 2 years. The herbicide treatments and the rate of active ingredient applied (kg a.i./ha) were 2,4-DB (0.8, 1.6), MCPA (0.5, 1.0), bromoxynil (0.28, 0.56), MCPA (0.15, 0.3) + terbutryn (0.275, 0.4125), and MCPA (0.25, 0.375) + diuron (0.25, 0.375). The herbage yield of all cultivars at 30 and 60 days after herbicide application (DAA) was suppressed by all herbicides except 2,4-DB at 60 DAA. There was marked variation in cultivar tolerance, with Trikkala being the most tolerant to all herbicides. Seaton Park was the most sensitive to MCPA + terbutryn, MCPA + diuron, and bromoxynil, while Karridale was the most sensitive to MCPA. Log10(sprayed yield) log10(unsprayed yield) was an appropriate measure of relative tolerance of cultivars to herbicide. While herbage yields and yield reduction due to the herbicides varied between sites and years, the effect of the herbicides and the relative responses of the cultivars were similar across years and sites. Herbage yield meaned over the 2 herbicide rates was reduced by 16-71% at 30 DAA depending on herbicide and cultivar, and by 445% at 60 DAA. A mixture of MCPA + terbutryn or MCPA + diuron caused the largest reduction in herbage (47-71%) at 30 DAA, while MCPA and 2,4-DB caused the smallest (16-56%) reduction. Neither the maturity ranking of the cultivar nor the cultivar vigour measured at 30 DAA influenced sensitivity to the herbicides. The rate of recovery (kg DM/ha.day) by the cultivars at 30-60 DAA was greatest in the MCPA, 2,4-DB, and bromoxynil treatments (80-120 kg DM/ha.day) and least in the MCPA + diuron treatment (71-84 kg DM/ha.day) and was not related to maturity ranking. Doubling the rate of herbicide increased herbage yield suppression and resulted in slower growth rates but did not affect seedling survival. The magnitude of the reduction in herbage yield has important implications for choice of herbicide and needs to be balanced against the likely loss due to weed competition. The identification of significant differential cultivar tolerance suggests that worthwhile improvements in tolerance can be achieved through plant breeding or selection.