EVALUATION OF CLOVERS IN DRY HILL COUNTRY .5. WHITE CLOVER AT WHATAWHATA, NEW-ZEALAND

Eleven white clover lines of contrasting plant habit and/or flowering pattern were evaluated for 4 years on steep, north-west-facing 'Hill Country'. All lines were either rotationally grazed throughout the year, or rotationally grazed from December to September and then set-stocked with sheep from September through to December. Detailed measurements were made of productivity, persistence, and flowering patterns. Small-medium-leaved lines of New Zealand origin ('Hill Country' Selection, 'Whatawhata Early Flowering', "Grasslands Huia", Italy x New Zealand selection) that had high stolon densities (> 1000/m2) were more persistent and/or productive than other lines. Large-leaved lines ('Grasslands Kopu', 'Tamar', 'Haifa') were better able to maintain stolon density during moisture stress periods, but their low propensity to produce stolons and vulnerability of stolons to damage by grazing led to low persistence levels. Some lines that flowered strongly (e.g., 'Whatawhata Early Flowering') had seedling densities in excess of 150/m2 in autumn. Stolon density, large roots, and reseeding are traits that must be considered when developing more suitable white clovers for dry 'Hill Country'.