Effect of grass species and ploidy on clover content in grass-clover mixtures

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is of increasing interest in Western Europe, mainly because of its good drought resistance. Agronomic data on this species are relatively scarce and little is known about the compatibility of tall fescue with clover. We established field trials in 2009 to compare the yield, botanical composition, feeding value and N-fixation of different grass species associated with clover. A first trial compared tall fescue, diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tetraploid perennial ryegrass sown with white clover (Trifolium repens L.). A second trial compared tall fescue, diploid Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and tetraploid Italian ryegrass sown with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). In all plots 5 cuts were taken in both 2010 and 2011and the yield, botanical composition, nitrogen content and digestibility of the harvested material were determined. Preliminary conclusions show no effect of grass species on white clover content in the mixtures. Red clover content in turn was consistently higher in combination with tall fescue than with Italian ryegrass.