| Abstract: | Unimproved hill land pastures are often characterized by low production and poor forage quality. The introduction and persistence of a legume component in the sward may increase both forage quality and quantity. Persistence of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus L.) and white clover ( T. repens L.) sod-seeded into a rotationally grazed hill land pasture was examined. Legumes were introduced by broadcasting by hand, sod-seeding with a zip seeder, and sod-seeding with a Power-till seeder. The effects of paraquat (1, 1-dimethyl 4–4'-bipyridinium ion), lime and P on legume persistence also were examined. The pasture was mostly Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) with 5 % white clover initially. Percentage legume in the pasture followed the same trend over time irrespective of whether sod-seeded or not, or method of sod-seeding. There was 30 % legume in control plots the year after sod-seeding and 15 % at the end of 4 years. Application of lime and P resulted in an increase in legume content of at least 5 % through the 4 year period. Paraquat, legume species, and sod-seeding method had no effect on legume persistence. It is concluded that management, soil fertility and time are the most important determinants of legume persistence in hill land pastures. |
