Abstract:

The growth of perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) in mixtures is the basis of pasture production in many temperate humid regions of the world. However, these two components have been traditionally bred separately without regard to their compatibility in a mixture. Where more productive mixtures are sought, such compatibility should be considered in breeding programmes in order to develop a better ecological combining ability and the purpose of the present study was to identify differences in compatibility between a range of diploid and tetrapioid rye grasses and white clover. Agronomically it is required that both grass and clover maintain a substantial dry matter yield in mixtures. Variation in compatibility depends on the extent to which the yielding ability of both grass and clover is modified by interspecific competition. Melle, Chieftain, The late flowering grasses, Meltra and Ba 10764 produced the highest yields of white clover in addition to being highly productive both in monoculture and in mixtures. An agronomical implication of this is that grasses bred for high yields in pure stands may also be good companion grasses with white clover.