Cultural methods for ‘Grasslands Pitau’ white clover seed crops

Abstract

Two methods of sowing ‘Grasslands Pitau’ white clover that could be used for control or prevention of contaminant unsown clovers were assessed for their effects on seed production. These methods were drilling at wide row spacing and broadcasting at higher seeding rate. First-season seed yields of Pitau within 12 months from autumn sowings at 30 cm (1.5 kg/ha) and 60 cm (0.75 kg/ha) row spacings were 620 and 490 kg/ha, 42% and 21% respectively less than yields from ‘Grasslands Huia’ white clover. Second-season yields of Pitau from the same sowings were 540 and 690 kg/ha, 33% and 37% respectively more than yields from Huia. For broadcast sowings, seed yields of both clovers at first harvest within 12 months were higher with 6 kg/ha than with 3 kg/ha sowing rate.