Morphological characteristics associated with winter survival of five growth types of tetraploid red clover

Summary The aim of this study was to correlate flowering response of tetraploid red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in the year of seeding with winter survival and other characteristics (vigour, bloom date). In two different years about 2000 plants of two different cultivars (Hungaropoly and Tapiopoly) were established and in the fall were classified into five growth types based on rosette formation and flower production. Non-flowering types were shorter and had few petioles at 6–8 weeks of age, but showed better survival than flowering types. Hungaropoly non-flowering types were more vigorous and bloomed earlier in the second year but Tapiopoly non-flowering types were less vigorous and bloomed later. Although non-flowering in the seeding year was associated with better survival in the second year, there was adequate variation within both types for selection for improved persistence.