Effect of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) density on seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Abstract

A mixture of 3 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars (cvv. Goulburn, Seaton Park, and Dalkeith) was grown with 5–40 plants/m² of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for 3 years at Wagga Wagga, NSW (147°21´E, 35°03´S). Clover seed yield was assessed each year, the number of regenerating clover seedlings was counted, herbage yield of clover and the perennials was measured, and the change in perennial density recorded. The influence of perennials on water availability in spring and light during clover seed set was also examined. The impact of perennial density on clover was assessed using regression analyses.

In each of the 3 years, subterranean clover seed yield was negatively related to perennial density, but phalaris suppressed clover seed yield more than equivalent densities of lucerne in 2 of the years. Clover seed yield was positively related (R² = 0.30–0.85) to clover biomass in spring in all 3 years (except for subterranean clover in phalaris in 1994) and to the proportion of total photosynthetically active radiation reaching the clover canopy beneath the perennial (R² = 0.33–0.83) in 2 of the 3 years. There was a positive relationship between clover seedling regeneration in autumn and size of the summer seed bank in both years in lucerne (R² = 0.40–0.76) and in 1 year in phalaris (R² = 0.76) and a negative association between perennial density and clover seedling regeneration.

The rate at which the surface profile (0–37 cm) dried in spring was independent of phalaris and lucerne density over the 3 years and did not differ from that of pure clover.

The late season clover cultivar, Goulburn, constituted between 57% and 79% of the seed bank following seed set, substantially more than the earlier flowering cultivars, Seaton Park and Dalkeith. Neither perennial density nor species changed the relative competitiveness of the 3 cultivars. The high seed yield of Goulburn and the lack of a perennial-induced change in surface soil water in spring suggest that growing perennials in association with subterranean clover does not increase the level of moisture stress during clover seed set. The good performance of Goulburn is attributed to superior competitive ability for light in late spring.

The basal area occupied by lucerne and phalaris increased with perennial density in each of the first 2 years. However, in the third year, phalaris basal area was similar at all densities. The findings suggest that sowing low densities of lucerne should assist in promoting seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover. Management of phalaris, which has the capacity to substantially increase plant size at low densities, may require additional strategies such as more frequent grazing in spring.