Arrowleaf clover: potential for dryland farming systems in New Zealand

Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum L.) is a late maturing annual legume which has the potential to be used in a range of farming systems such as finishing lambs through to silage production and building soil fertility for future cropping. An experiment at Lincoln University, Canterbury, evaluated the performance of ‘Arrotas’ arrowleaf clover relative to white and subterranean clover from 23 May to 20 December 2007. By the 20/12/2007, ‘Arrotas’ produced 9800 kg DM/ha compared (P<0.001) with 3370 kg DM/ha from subterranean and 1790 kg DM/ha from white clover. Metabolisable energy in late December was similar for all clovers. Results in Australia at similar latitudes and rainfall regimes to parts of the North and South Island of New Zealand suggest that ‘Arrotas’ could be successfully incorporated into local dryland systems.