Water stress affects the productivity, growth components, competitiveness and water relations of phalaris and white clover growing in a mixed pasture [Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian Commercial; Trifolium repens cv. Haifa]
1992
Guobin, L. | Kemp, D.R. (New South Wales Agriculture, Orange (Australia). Agricultural Resarch and Veterinary Centre)
In a field experiment, water stress severely restricted growth of both species but after rain fell, white clover growth rates exceeded those of phalaris. Under irrigation, white clover produced twice the herbage mass of phalaris but under dry conditions herbage production was similar from both species. Leaf appearance rates per tiller or stolon were slightly higher for white clover than phalaris but were reduced by 20 percent under water stress in both species. Leaf or petiole extension rates were more sensitive to water stress than leaf appearance rates and declined by 75 percent in phalaris and 90 percent in white clover. It is suggested that the poorer performance of white clover under water stress may be due principally to a shallower root system than phalaris and not due to any underlying major physiological differences. To maintain white clover in a pasture under dry conditions it is suggested that grazing practices aim to retain a high proportion of growing points.
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