White clover seed production response to irrigation

摘要

White clover is more sensitive to soil water restriction compared to other perennial legumes, due to its shallow root system and poor stomatal control. Its undetermined growth is influenced by soil water content and seed production is reduced when vegetative growth is not restricted through irrigation management. Restricting the amount of soil available water during the bloom stage reduced plant vegetative growth and increases seed production (Clifford, 1986). In Uruguay, there is not a defined rainyseason, and annual average ranges between 1100 and 1300mm. However, due to higher water demand during late spring and summer, a water deficit period is usually registered between November and February, during white clover reproductive stage. The objective of our research was to determine white clover seed production response to different levels of irrigation in Uruguay.