Effect of burr burial on seed production of Trifolium subterraneaum subsp. brachycalycinum and other annual legumes

Abstract

On sandy soil near Esperance, W.A., prevention of burr burial compared with covering developing burrs with sand drastically reduced the seed production of three subspp. of Trifolium subterraneum (brachycalycinum, subterraneum and yanninicum) and of T. israeliticum by reducing burr production and seed weight. However, T. globosum produced similar amounts of seed from unburied and buried burrs. On sandy soil at Shenton Park, Perth, W.A., prevention of burr burial also reduced seed production of T. subterraneum subspp. brachycalycinum and subterraneum, this being due to fewer burrs, fewer seeds per burr and lighter seed. For subsp. brachycalycinum, seed yields were two to five times greater from burrs which developed within loose gravel than from those developed over sand (in which fewer burrs were able to bury) as a result of increased production of burrs, more seeds per burr and heavier seed. However, for subsp. subterraneum seed yields were similar from burrs whether developed over gravel or sand.