Long term patterns of seed softening and seedling establishment from single seed crops of subterranean clover

Abstract

Single seed crops of eight varieties of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were grown in swards in four successive years in a medium rainfall environment at Bakers Hill, Western Australia. Measurements were made of seed production, the progress of seed softening within the first two summers, and residual hard seed and seedling numbers after the break of season for up to six successive regeneration years. Patterns of seed softening were also measured in a laboratory oven with a diurnal temperature fluctuation of 60/15¦C. Approximately half the seeds of all varieties softened over the first summer and generally well over half the residual seeds softened during the second summer. Up to 18% of seeds of the hardest seeded variety, Northam, and 11% of Geraldton seeds persisted to the end of the third summer as hard seeds. Seed softening patterns showed a significant variety x regeneration year interaction due mainly to a slower rate of softening of Northam seeds relative to the other varieties after the first summer. In six of the varieties, seeds generally softened more slowly in the laboratory than in the field but in the case of the other two varieties this trend was reversed. Nevertheless, ranking of varieties for rate of seed softening was similar in field and laboratory. Seedling establishment ranged from 28 to 100% of soft seeds, depending on the incidence of late summer and autumn rains. It appeared that all varieties in the study would regenerate satisfactorily at densities of more than 15 plants/dm2 after at least one year in which little or no seed is set. Slower rates of softening would probably be desirable in drier regions or in rotation systems involving cropping.