Effects of cutting at different reproductive development stages on aftermath growth of red clover (Trifolium pratense) in a subtropical montane environment

Abstract

The use of red clover (Trifolium pratense) in subtropical montane areas of southern China is reviewed as a preliminary to an investigation, at Hongchiba, Wuxi County, Chongquing, of the effects on aftermath growth of cutting at different stages of reproductive development of a local cultivar ‘Wuxi’ red clover. The reproductive stages were branching, flower bud formation, flowering, and seed pod formation. The time taken to reach the defined reproductive stages after cutting, and the height of herbage and yield at cutting, became less with successive cuts. The greatest rate of dry matter accumulation was during the branching and flower bud formation stages. Cutting at the flower bud stage produced the highest total yield of 13 380 kg DM ha−1 and cutting at the pod stage the least yield of 10 480 kg DM ha−1. It is recommended that the first cut should be made about 70 days after the start of spring growth, and the second, third, and fourth harvests 50, 30, and 35 days after the previous harvests. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.