Workshop 2 (Clover Harvesting, Oestrogenic Pastures & Annual Leguume Breeding)

Question 1

Subclover subspecies Subterraneum

Answer 1

Most cultivars belong to this group
For well-drained soils
pH(CaCl) 4.5-6.5
Strong burr burial

Question 2

Subclover subspecies Yanninicum

Answer 2

For poorly drained or good moisture-holding soils
pH(CaCl) 4.5-6.5
Strong burr burial

Question 3

Subclover subspecies Brachycalycinum

Answer 3

Neutral-alkaline pH(CaCl) 6.0-8.0
Weak burr burial
Cracking or stony soils for burr development
Persists poorly in WA

Question 4

Most important characteristic that determines variety fit for an enivronment
(applies for all annuals)

Answer 4

Flowering time
A compromise
Late enough to optimise biomass production but early enough to allow seed set before the onset of summer drought
Early flowering for low rainfall (short-season)
Late flowering for high rainfall (long-season)

Question 5

Formononetin effects

Answer 5

Difficult lambing
Ewe infertility
Short-term effects if mating on oestrogenic pastures
Long term infertility if continued exposure

Question 6

Hardseededness effects

Answer 6

Seed coat impermeable to water
Soften over subsequent summers for germination
Allows regeneration after seasons of little or no rainfall
Allows annual legumes to be grown in rotation with crops
Species and varieties differ in hardseededness

Question 7

Redlegged Earth Mite (RLEM)

Answer 7

Major pest of pasture legumes
Hatches in autumn from over-summer eggs
Kill emerging seedlings
Reduce biomass and seed production
Attack upper surfaces of cotyledons and leaves
Resistance in some populations to common insecticides
Screen for RLEM resistance at the cotyledon stage

Question 8

Persian Clover majus

Answer 8

Erect with large leaves, grown for high quality fodder

Question 9

Persian clover resupinatum

Answer 9

A persistant pasture type more suited for grazing

Question 10

Persian Clover microcephalum

Answer 10

A non-commercial, weedy type

Question 11

Arrowleaf clover

Answer 11

Dual-purpose self-regenerating grazing and fodder species
Deep rooted - can remain green well into summer
High spring biomass, but poor winter production
Out-crossing species - pollinated by bees
3 cultivars (Arrotas (very late flowering), Zulu (late flowering), Cefalu (midseason))

Question 12

Balansa clover

Answer 12

Dual-purpose self-regenerating grazing and fodder species
High waterlogging tolerance and mild salinity tolerance
Out-crossing - pollinated by bees
3 maturity groups (Early, midseason and late-flowering)

Question 13

Purple clover

Answer 13

Highly vigorous and deep-rooted species
Dual-purpose grazing and fodder
Out-crossing - pollinated by bees

Question 14

Other species for future work

Answer 14

Sub clover
Rose clover
Crimson clover
Burseem clover

Question 15

New traits

Answer 15

Increased root rot resistance
High nutritive value, especially in dry feed
Lower methane emissions
Higher RLEM resistance
Increased tolerance of biotic stresses
Increased resilience to a more variable climate