Author
DEHAAN, LEE - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | |
EHLKE, NANCY - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | |
SHEAFFER, CRAIG - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | |
Russelle, Michael |
Submitted to: Trifolium Conference Abstract & Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M.B.) has great potential as a truly perennial rhizomatous legume for use in pastures. Liming is generally recommended when legumes are grown on acidic soils. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal pH for growing kura clover on several low-pH soil types from the North Central United States. Two varieties of kura clover, Rhizo and Endura, and Norcen birdsfoot trefoil were established in pots containing soil collected from three sites (two sandy loam soils and one clay loam soil) and amended with CaOH to six pH levels from 5.0 to 7.5. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications, executed twice in a greenhouse environment. Soils were fertilized as needed with P, K, S, B, and Mg. Nine plants were established per pot (18 cm diameter and 45 cm deep). Above-ground biomass was harvested, dried, and weighed about 56 days after planting, and both above- and below-ground biomass were harvested about 35 days later. Over all treatments, maximum dry matter yield was obtained at about pH 6.0. Optimal pH on the sandy loam soils was slightly greater than 6.0, but on the clay loam soil optimal pH was slightly less than 6.0. Both kura clover varieties responded similarly to liming, but birdsfoot trefoil was slightly less responsive. We found that liming to raise soil pH from 5.0 to 6.0 on average increased first harvest shoot dry matter yield of kura clover by 24% and birdsfoot trefoil by 12%. Second harvest shoot dry matter was increased on average by 65% in kura clover and 30% in birdsfoot trefoil. |