Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
ALMANAC Simulation Model
ALMANAC Applications
Hydrologic Data
Rangeland Research
Poultry Litter Application
Wheat Study 2003
Corn Fertility Study
Impact of Biological Control Agents on Musk Thistle Populations
MANAGE Nutrient Loss Database
Hydrologic Data Collection and Water Quality Sampling
Reprints Relevant to ALMANAC
Almanac Switchgrass
ALMANAC - Forestry Simulation
ALMANAC - Switchgrass Field Research Simulation
ALMANAC -Biofuel grass nutrient cycling
ALMANAC - Rangeland CEAP
Publications on Riesel Data and History
US Climatic Data
Hydrologic Data
Models
Atmospheric CO2 Research Group
 

Research Project: DEVELOPMENT OF MODELS AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES FOR WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS

Location: Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Title: Radiation use efficiency of arrowleaf, crimson, rose, and subterranean clovers

Authors
item Kiniry, James
item Evers, Gerald - TEXAS A&M AGRIC RES EXT

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 24, 2008
Publication Date: July 15, 2008
Citation: Kiniry, J.R., Evers, G.W. 2008. Radiation use efficiency of arrowleaf, crimson, rose, and subterranean clovers. Agronomy Journal. 100(4):1155-1160

Interpretive Summary: Growth parameters of cool-season annual clovers are important because of the great interest in using clovers as winter cover crops, forages, and sources of nitrogen. Accordingly, our objective was to quantify the key parameter for biomass production, radiation use efficiency (RUE), for arrowleaf, crimson, rose, and subterranean clovers. Data on fraction of light intercepted and biomass at Overton, TX, were used to calculate the RUE. Radiation use efficiency was calculated for biomass as a function of cumulative intercepted light for above-ground biomass and for total biomass including roots. Similarly, RUE was calculated for regrowth following one or two cuttings. The mean RUE of above-ground biomass original growth were 2.92 g MJ**-1 for rose, 2.52 for arrowleaf, and 1.94 for crimson, and 1.86 for subterranean. For total biomass including roots, original growth RUE values were 3.01, 2.59, 2.00, and 1.98, respectively. Compared to original growth above-ground RUE values, one cutting regrowth RUE averaged 92 percent whereas two cutting regrowth RUE averaged 119 percent%. These values of RUE will aid modelers in simulating these important nitrogen fixing species.

Technical Abstract: Stability of parameters describing growth of cool-season annual clovers is important because of the great interest in utilization as winter cover crops, forage and sources of nitrogen through N2-fixation. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to quantify the key parameter for biomass production, radiation use efficiency (RUE), for arrowleaf (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.), crimson (Trifolium incarnatum L.), rose (Trifolium hirtum All.), and subterranean (Trifolium subterraneum L.) clovers. Data on fraction of light intercepted and biomass, sampled biweekly over two years at Overton, TX were used to calculate the RUE. Radiation use efficiency was calculated for biomass as a function of cumulative intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) for above-ground biomass and for total biomass including roots. Similarly, RUE was calculated for regrowth following one or two cuttings. The mean radiation use efficiency (RUE) of above-ground biomass original growth were 2.92 g MJ**-1 for rose, 2.52 for arrowleaf, and 1.94 for crimson, and 1.86 for subterranean. For total biomass including roots, original growth RUE values were 3.01, 2.59, 2.00, and 1.98, respectively. Compared to original growth above-ground RUE values, one cutting regrowth RUE averaged 92 percent whereas two cutting regrowth RUE averaged 119 percent. These values of RUE will aid modelers in simulating these important nitrogen fixing species.

   

 
Project Team
Arnold, Jeffrey
Kiniry, James
White, Michael
Harmel, Daren
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Climate Change, Soils, and Emissions (212)
  Water Availability and Water Management (211)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/25/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House