PREMIER CULTIVAR OF HUNGARIAN CLOVER

Abstract

There is given the characteristic of Premier cultivar of perennial Hungarian clover (Trifolium pannonicum Jacq.) firstly developed in Russia. The cultivar is early-ripening, with the length from the first spring flush to cutting maturity of 61-69 days and to seed maturity of 107-126 days. This cultivar is remarkable for its high drought and frost resistance. A rather small height (60-70 cm) of the generative shoots and the semi-sprawling multi-stem type of the bush favor lodging resistance. The adult plant consists of the generative and vegetative shoots, the ratio of which depends on weather conditions. The generative shoot usually has one large inflorescence at the top. It has been found that productivity of the above-ground mass during the first 2 years of bush’s life is low, and makes up 8-10 centners per ha. Beginning with the third year of its life, the productivity considerably increases on account of the increased number and height of the shoots. The cultivar remains productive for 6 years or more. During the years of investigations, the hay productivity was 42-61 centners of dry matter per ha. The presence of the vegetative shoots as a part of the herbage promotes high leafiness of the crops of up to 45 percent at the beginning of flowering. The crude protein content is 13-15 percent, crude fiber 25-28 percent. The Premier cultivar of Hungarian clover is resistant to brown spot, rust, mildew and other diseases of clover.