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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88811
Title: IMPROVEMENT IN RED CLOVER OVER THE LAST FEW DECADES

Author
item Smith, Richard

Submitted to: Wisconsin Forage Council Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an excellent perennial forage legume, has been considered for many years to be a short-lived forage lasting only two or three years. Selection for resistance to foliar and root rot diseases and for longevity of stand over the past four decades has improved the persistence of the currently available cultivars. Studies reported here ewere conducted to evaluate the progress from selection for longevity and disease resistance. Selection for stand longevity and improved disease resistance has reliably extended the production of red clover into the third and fourth year. Selection for healthy plants in 3- or 4-year old stands of red clover has simultaneously selected for resistance to root rots caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Total 4-year forage yields of current populations of red clover are twice that produced by cultivars and germplasm available in the 1960's.