ESTABLISHING WHITE CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM REPENS) IN HIGH PEST DENSITY REGIONS

摘要

Four field trials were conducted on commercial dairy farms in Waikato and Manawatu to develop guidelines for re-establishing white clover into vigorous grass pastures. Treatments were designed to (1) determine the minimum' clover fallow' period neededto minimise clover pest populations and (2) identify options for re-introducing white clover. Tribenuron proved damaging to grass and results for thifensulfuron were variable. Dicamba was effective in removing clover and the length of 'clover fallow' required to remove clover root weevil larvae appeared to be 6-8 months. Glyphosate applied at sowing reduced pasture cover significantly for up to 10 weeks, but seedling establishment was improved by 50-100%. The re-introduction of clover was better in autumn than spring, but no treatment resulted in increased long term clover content of the pasture. This was due to both poor emergence and survival of clover seedlings facing severe competition from resident well established grass plants.