The effect of burr burial on the seed of some early maturing subterranean clover cultivars

Abstract

Seven early maturing cultivars of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) showed large between cultivar differences in terms of burr and seed development above the soil surface. The indices used for determining differences between buried and unburied burrs were burr and seed weight, and seed viability and impermeability. With all cultivars seed formed above the soil surface weighed less and had a lower viable and impermeable seed content. The results are discussed in terms of the selection and breeding of subterranean clover cultivars suitable for the low rainfall agricultural regions of Western Australia