Strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum): current status and future role in Australian agriculture

Abstract

Strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum L.) is periodically raised as an alternative perennial pasture legume for temperate regions of Australia. Its tolerance of waterlogging is widely known, yet its ability to persist through periods of soil moisture deficit is often understated. Other desirable characteristics include its stoloniferous growth habit and tolerance of mildly saline conditions. Only four strawberry clover cultivars have been registered in Australia, and the most popular, cv. Palestine, is a direct introduction, released in 1938 and first certified in 1951. Furthermore, strawberry clover's distribution has largely been confined to niche environments, particularly waterlogged and saline areas. This paper reviews the taxonomy and breeding system, morphology, distribution and ecology, and subsequent transfer of strawberry clover to Australia. It reviews and maps the suitability of strawberry clover for perennial pasture systems in the medium - high rainfall and irrigated temperate zones of Australia, with reference to future climates. The paper also highlights the breeding focus, commercialisation and marketing required to supersede cv. Palestine and lists the germplasm available in the Australian Pastures Genebank, with origins. We conclude that, although strawberry clover is unlikely to become a dominant perennial pasture legume species in Australia, it could be used in a wider range of environments than just those affected by salinity and/or waterlogging stress.