Abstract
In a growth chamber experiment, we determined net photosynthetic rate (PN) and leaf developmental characteristics of cultivars of a relatively small-, intermediate-, and a large-leaf genotype grown under irradiance of 450-500 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1 (HI), shade [140-160 µmol(photon) m-2 s-1] (LI), and after a shade-to-irradiation (LI »HI) transfer. Differences in physiological responses of the genotypes were more pronounced in HI and LI»HI plants than in LI plants. The small- and intermediate-leaf sizes had greater PN in the first measured leaf than the large-leaf type by 70 and 63 % in HI plants, and by 23 and 18 % in LI»HI plants, respectively. Similar relationships were observed in the next developed leaf. The LI plants did not differ significantly in PN. Greater PN in the small- and intermediate-leaf size genotypes were not associated with greater total dry matter of the plant. Under irradiation, the large-leaf genotype accumulated more total nonstructural saccharides (TNS) and starch than the small- or intermediate-leaf size plants. TNS and starch concentrations in LI plants were about one-half those of HI and LI»HI plants. These results should help to develop management practices that capitalize upon the competitive features of white clover in mixed-species swards.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arnott, R.A.: An analysis of uninterrupted growth of white clover swards receiving either biologically fixed nitrogen or nitrate in solution.-Grass Forage Sci. 38: 305–310, 1984.
Boller, B.C., Nösberger, J.: Effects of temperature and photoperiod on stolon characteristics, dry matter partitioning, and nonstructural carbohydrate concentration of two white clover ecotypes.-Crop Sci. 23: 1057–1062, 1983.
Boller, B.C., Nösberger, J.: Photosynthesis of white clover leaves as influenced by canopy position, leaf age, and temperature.-Ann. Bot. 56: 19–27, 1985.
Brink, G.E.: White clover growth and morphology under contrasting cutting regimes.-Crop Sci. 35: 1100–1103, 1995.
Brock, J.L., Hay, M.J.M., Thomas, V.J., Sedloce, J.R.: Morphology of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) plants in pastures under intensive sheep grazing.-J. agr. Sci. 111: 273–283, 1988.
Carlson, G.E.: Growth of clover leaves — developmental morphology and parameters at ten stages.-Crop Sci. 6: 293–294, 1966.
Davidson, I.A., Culvenor, R.A., Simpson, R.J.: Effect of previous defoliation regime and mineral nitrogen on regrowth in white clover swards: Photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogenase activity and growth.-Ann. Bot. 65: 665–667, 1990.
Davies, A., Evans, M.E.: Branching in white clover.-Working Group on Detailed Sward Measurement Newsletter 12. Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth 1983.
Denison, R.F, Fedders, J.M., Tong, C.B.S.: Amyloglucosidase hydrolysis can overestimate starch concentration of plants.-Agron. J. 82: 361–364, 1990.
Dennis, W.D., Woledge, J.: Photosynthesis by white clover leaves in mixed clover/ryegrass swards.-Ann. Bot. 49: 627–635, 1982.
Dennis, W.D., Woledge, J.: The effect of shade during leaf expansion on photosynthesis by white clover leaves.-Ann. Bot. 51: 111–118, 1983.
Eagles, C.F., Othman, O.B.: Effect of temperature, irradiance and photoperiod on morphological characters of seedlings of contrasting white clover populations.-Ann. appl. Biol. 108: 629–638, 1986.
Eagles, C.F., Othman, O.B.: Variation in growth of overwintered stolons of contrasting white clover populations in response to temperature, photoperiod and spring development.-Ann. appl. Biol. 112: 563–574, 1988.
Frame, J., Newbold, P.: Agronomy of white clover.-Adv. Agron. 40: 1–88, 1986.
Grant, S.A., Barthram, G.T.: The effects of contrasting cutting regimes on the components of clover and grass growth in microswards.-Grass Forage Sci. 46: 1–13, 1991.
Haystead, A., Marriott, C.: Fixation and transfer of nitrogen in a white clover-grass sward under hill conditions.-Ann. appl. Biol. 88: 453–457, 1978.
Kessler, W., Nösberger, J.: Factors limiting white clover growth in grass/clover systems.-In: T'mannetje, L., Frame, J. (ed.): Proc. 15th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation. Pp. 529–538. Wageningen 1994.
Klebesadel, L.J.: Natural selection may modify introduced white clover toward superior winterhardiness.-Agroborealis 18: 13–19, 1986.
Mächler, F., Nösberger, J.: Effect of light intensity and temperature on apparent photosynthesis of altitudinal ecotypes of Trifolium repens L.-Oecologia 31: 73–78, 1977.
Nösberger, J., Maechler, F., Boller, B.C.: Photosynthesis and dry matter distribution in altitudinal ecotypes of white clover.-In: Smith, J.A., Hays, V.W. (ed.): Proc. XIV Int. Grassland Congress. Pp. 410–413. Lexington 1981.
OECD: OECD schemes for the varietal certification of seed moving in international trade. List of cultivars eligible for certification under the OECD schemes.-OECD 1984.
Prioul, J.-L., Brangcon, J., Reyss, A.: Interaction between external and internal conditions in the development of photosynthetic features in a grass leaf. I. Regional responses along a leaf during and after low-light or high-light acclimation.-Plant Physiol. 66: 762–769, 1980.
Robin, C., Varlet-Grancher, C., Gastal, F., Flenet, F., Guckert, A.: Photomorphogenesis of white clover (Trifolium repens L.): phytochrome mediated effects on 14C-assimilate partitioning.-Eur. J. Agron. 1: 235–240, 1992.
Snaydon, R.W.: An analysis of competition between plants of Trifolium repens collected from contrasting soils.-J. appl. Ecol. 8: 687–697, 1971.
Stern, W.R., Donald, C.M.: Light relationships in grass-clover swards.-Aust. J. agr. Res. 13: 599–614, 1962.
Sultan, S.E., Bazzaz, F.A.: Phenotypic plasticity in Polygonum persicaria. I. Diversity and uniformity in genotypic norms of reaction to light.-Evolution 47: 1009–1031, 1993.
Thomson, D.J., Raymond, W.F.: White clover in animal production.-In: Lowe, J. (ed.): White Clover Research. Pp. 277–284. Brit. Grassl. Soc., Maidenhead 1970.
Thompson, L., Harper, J.L.: The effect of grasses on the quality of transmitted radiation and its influence on the growth of white clover Trifolium repens.-Oecologia 75: 343–347, 1988.
William, D., Asiegbu, E.: The effects of variety, cutting interval and nitrogen application on the morphology and development of stolons and leaves of white clover.-Grass Forage Sci. 37: 15–27, 1982.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Malinowski, D., Belesky, D. & Fedders, J. Photosynthesis of White Clover (Trifolium Repens L.) Germplasms with Contrasting Leaf Size. Photosynthetica 35, 419–427 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006920520169
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006920520169