Effect of paspalum on the production pattern of Ladino white clover under irrigation on heavy clay soils in central Queensland

Abstract

Ladino clover associated with Paspalum dilatatum at Theodore had a radically different pattern of seasonal growth compared with Ladino clover grown alone or with prairie grass (Bromus unioloides[Bromus catharticus] cv. Priebe) or Ronpha grass at Biloela. When associated with P. dilatatum., clover growth rate was severely depressed in late summer, autumn and winter, but was equivalent or even superior in spring to that grown alone or with prairie grass. Growth of clover with Ronpha grass was depressed throughout the year. The mid-winter fodder gap was narrowed by a major response by P. dilatatum to N in May and a response by white clover to S in spring. The response to S was not always significant while applying N too early in autumn depressed clover growth in early winter. Zn slightly stimulated clover in mid-winter and Mn slightly stimulated P. dilatatum in spring. Renovation with a rigid tine tiller in autumn depressed yield of P. dilatatum 5 months later, but did not increase the yield of either persistent or oversown clover.-F.A.S.