Effect of incorporated plant materials on germination, persistence and growth of Ladino white clover seedlings in pots

Abstract

In a pot experiment the incorporation of the equivalent of 15·5 tonnes/ha of finely milled oven-dry aerial portions of three grass species in the top 2·5 cm of soil resulted in a number of distinct effects on the germination, persistence and subsequent growth of Ladino white clover (Trifolium repens) seedlings. The three species, Paspalum dilatatum, Bromus unioloides and Ronpha grass (Phalaris sp.), caused differing reductions in the speed of emergence, total emergence and persistence of emerged seedlings compared with no
incorporated plant material. The seedlings which did persist showed eventual stimulation of growth which become apparent at differing times depending on the material incorporated.