23 research outputs found
Nitrogen fixation by caucasian clover and white clover in irrigated ryegrass pastures
The Nâ fixation ability of caucasian clover was
compared with that of white clover in irrigated
ryegrass pastures over years 2 and 3 of a grazing
experiment, using the Âčâ”N enrichment technique.
âEnduraâ caucasian clover was inoculated with
the specific Rhizobium strain ICC148. The N
concentration in clover herbage and the proportion
of clover N derived from Nâ fixation (PN) were
similar for both clovers at averages of 4.6%N and
50â60% respectively over the 2 years. The amount
of Nâ fixed per hectare was directly related to the
amount of clover dry matter (DM) produced by
the two clover species. Caucasian clover produced
four times the DM yield of white clover in year 2
(5400 cf. 1450 kg DM/ha) and four times the
amount of Nâ fixed in herbage (136 cf. 36 kg N/
ha). In year 3, caucasian clover produced 50%
more clover DM (3450 cf. 2370 kg DM/ha) and
Nâ fixed (98 cf. 66 kg N/ha) than white clover.
The increased N input from caucasian clover
increased grass %N and N uptake from soil in
caucasian clover pastures resulting in higher total
pasture production compared with white clover
pastures (15.7 cf. 14.2 t DM/ha) by year 3. In this
study, caucasian clover demonstrated greater
potential than white clover to meet the N demands
of high-yielding perennial ryegrass in an intensive
pastoral system.The authors acknowledge funding from the Struthers
Trust for the development of the grazing experiment at
Lincoln University and FRST funding for provision of
Âčâ¶N and N analyses. We thank the C. Alma Baker and Struthers
Trusts for providing A.D. Black with financial support
from post-graduate scholarships
Landscape genomic prediction for restoration of a Eucalyptus foundation species under climate change
As species face rapid environmental change, we can build resilient populations through restoration projects that incorporate predicted future climates into seed sourcing decisions. Eucalyptus melliodora is a foundation species of a critically endangered community in Australia that is a target for restoration. We examined genomic and phenotypic variation to make empirical based recommendations for seed sourcing. We examined isolation by distance and isolation by environment, determining high levels of gene flow extending for 500 km and correlations with climate and soil variables. Growth experiments revealed extensive phenotypic variation both within and among sampling sites, but no site-specific differentiation in phenotypic plasticity. Model predictions suggest that seed can be sourced broadly across the landscape, providing ample diversity for adaptation to environmental change. Application of our landscape genomic model to E. melliodora restoration projects can identify genomic variation suitable for predicted future climates, thereby increasing the long term probability of successful restoration
Nitrogen fixation by caucasian clover and white clover in irrigated ryegrass pastures
The Nâ fixation ability of caucasian clover was
compared with that of white clover in irrigated
ryegrass pastures over years 2 and 3 of a grazing
experiment, using the Âčâ”N enrichment technique.
âEnduraâ caucasian clover was inoculated with
the specific Rhizobium strain ICC148. The N
concentration in clover herbage and the proportion
of clover N derived from Nâ fixation (PN) were
similar for both clovers at averages of 4.6%N and
50â60% respectively over the 2 years. The amount
of Nâ fixed per hectare was directly related to the
amount of clover dry matter (DM) produced by
the two clover species. Caucasian clover produced
four times the DM yield of white clover in year 2
(5400 cf. 1450 kg DM/ha) and four times the
amount of Nâ fixed in herbage (136 cf. 36 kg N/
ha). In year 3, caucasian clover produced 50%
more clover DM (3450 cf. 2370 kg DM/ha) and
Nâ fixed (98 cf. 66 kg N/ha) than white clover.
The increased N input from caucasian clover
increased grass %N and N uptake from soil in
caucasian clover pastures resulting in higher total
pasture production compared with white clover
pastures (15.7 cf. 14.2 t DM/ha) by year 3. In this
study, caucasian clover demonstrated greater
potential than white clover to meet the N demands
of high-yielding perennial ryegrass in an intensive
pastoral system.The authors acknowledge funding from the Struthers
Trust for the development of the grazing experiment at
Lincoln University and FRST funding for provision of
Âčâ¶N and N analyses. We thank the C. Alma Baker and Struthers
Trusts for providing A.D. Black with financial support
from post-graduate scholarships
In vivo and in vitro suppression by leptin of glucose-stimulated insulin hypersecretion in high glucose-fed rats
Improving white clover for Australasia
Improving the genetic merit of temperate forage legumes helps ensure profitability and sustainability of our Australasian pastoral industries. Todayâs plant breeders are supported by a range of underpinning research activities including genetic resources exploration and enhancement, plant physiology, plant health, feed quality, agronomy, quantitative genetics and plant biotechnology; and have collaborative interfaces with animal and farm systems science. Lifting the rate of gain by integration of molecular tools, innovative breeding strategies, and new genetic resources is the
major objective of our white clover breeding network. This paper, presented at the Australasian Grassland Associationâs
recent Legume Symposium, focuses on the key research and development achievements in white clover breeding for Australasia, and on the success and future of an Australasian collaboration to breed improved cultivars for the regionâs temperate environments. The paper reports on successful developments in the areas of improving white clover root systems
for phosphate uptake, pest tolerance, development of novel inter-specific hybrids and marker-aided breeding. The successful trans-Tasman collaboration in white clover breeding and future work is also discussed