The effect of three pesticide treatments on the establishment of white clover (Trifolium repens) sown with a slot-seeder

The output of animal products from permanent pasture could be increased greatly. It is markedly influenced by the proportion of the preferred herbage species in the sward: among these, white clover (Trifolium repens) is an important constituent. A number of means of introducing clover into established pasture have been devised, the most recent being the technique of ‘slot-seeding’. An assessment has been made of the effect of three pesticide treatments on the establishment of slot-seeded white clover. Without pesticide treatment, few seedlings established. However, treatment with a molluscicide (methiocarb) or with an insecticide+nematicide (chlorpyrifos+aldicarb) greatly enhanced establishment. Slugs and leatherjackets appeared to be the most important pests. Application of a fungicide had no effect on seedling establishment.