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Establishment of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on medusahead, (Taeniatherum asperum (sim.) Nevski) infested ranges in western Oregon

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Title Establishment of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on medusahead, (Taeniatherum asperum (sim.) Nevski) infested ranges in western Oregon
Names Vigil, Frederick Rudolph (creator)
Furtick, William R. (advisor)
Date Issued 1968-09-24 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1969
Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the best method to
establish subterranean clover on medusahead infested ranges in
Western Oregon. Secondary objectives of this study were to determind
the effects of management treatments on (a) subterranean
clover density, (b) density of medusahead and other vegetation, and
(c) yield of subterranean clover.
Four treatments for establishing subterranean clover were
compared including two seeding methods superimposed over six
old treatments for controlling medusahead. The results of this
experiment are as follows: Subterranean clover density was
found to be significantly higher early in the season in the sod plus
broadcast seeded area, in all but the chemically treated areas,
when compared with the sod seeded area. The number of subterranean
clover plants per square foot in May was significantly higher
in the sod plus broadcast seeded areas in all but the chemical treatment.
There was a great loss of subterranean clover plants in both
methods of seeding from March through April; this was due to poor
nodulation.
Vegetation density was significantly lower in the chemical-mowed
and sheep-grazed treatments in May. Medusahead density
was lower in only the chemical-mowed treatment. It appears that
removing the old vegetation before applying paraquat makes the
chemical more effective in controlling medusahead and other vegetation.
The yield of vegetation other than subterranean clover ranged
from 1,871 to 2,437 pounds per acre. The yield of vegetation in the
chemical-mowed and sheep-grazed treatment was significantly lower
than in the mechanical and control treatment.
Subterranean clover yields, which were highest in the sod plus
broadcast seeded areas, ranged from 22 to 397 pounds per acre.
The chemical-unmowed treatment along with a previous control
treatment had the highest yield: the lowest yield was obtained in the
mechanical treatment combined with a late grazed treatment. Low
yields of subterranean clover were attributed to lack of nodulation
which probably was caused by dessication of rhizobja prior to sowing (a 24 hour delay in broadcast inoculated seed), drying after seeding
because of poor coverage in drill rows and lack of available phosphorus.
In establishing subterranean clover on similar sites, reduction
of vegetation would be of prime importance. Prior grazing would be
beneficial as shown, but because of the unpalatable and low nutritional
value of annual grasses in summer and autumn, vegetation removal
might depend on use of fire or mechanical means, with or without
herbicides.
For stand establishment sod- seeding was more effective than
broadcasting the seed. A higher rate of seeding is suggested when
surface broadcasting seed onto undisturbed soil. Continued work on
establishing of subterranean clover on medusahead infested sites
should include the variables mentioned above.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Subterranean clover
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/46492

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