Growth of ‘Grasslands Huia’ and ‘Grasslands 4700’ white clovers

Abstract

Growth of ‘Grasslands 4700’ and ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clovers was compared in growth cabinets under three temperature regimes (25/20, 20/15, 15/10°c day/night) at two levels of N (0 and 50 ppm applied as ammonium nitrate in sand — nutrient solution culture).

At 25/20°c 4700 out yielded Huia, but at 20/15°c Huia out yielded 4700 and at 15/10°c there was a non-significant difference in favour of 4700. Leaf growth paralleled total plant growth, but 4700 produced larger, thinner leaves (higher specific leaf area) at 15/10°c. There was an indication that the greater growth potential of 4700 exceeded its N fixation potential so that N supply limited growh of 4700.