Row spacing is an important management strategy in white clover (Trifolium repens) seed crops. Stolons grow outward from the crown of the plant into the space between rows. Nodes produced along the stolon bear either vegetative axillary growth (e.g. a branch) or a reproductive leaf-flower combination. The more nodes that are produced per stolon, and subsequently per unit area, the greater opportunity for flower production and thereby seed yield. In theory, wider row spacing should produce more flowers/m2 due to more space for stolon proliferation.
This update discusses the results of a three-year study investigating the effects of 30, 45 and 60 cm row spacing on seed yield, flower production and total biomass of two commercial white clover cultivars, ‘Quartz’ (medium-leaved) and ‘Legacy’ (large-leaved).
Seasonal conditions were the biggest driver of white clover seed yield.
Key points
- Wider row spacing increased seed yield during seasons with wet flowering periods. Otherwise, cultivar performance was not enhanced by row spacing >30 cm.
- ‘Legacy’ produced 5% higher seed yield than ‘Quartz’ across all seasons.
- Wider row spacing reduced flowers per m² but did not affect peak flowering date, flowers per stolon, or thousand seed weight.