Establishment of tetraploid red clover seed field under a cover crop

Abstract

In 2013–2014 field trials were organised in Estonian Crop Research Institute to comply with the applied project of the Estonian Ministry of Agriculture. In the establishment of a red clover seed production field 2 cover crops (barley and spring wheat) were investigated on 4 treatments and 4 seed rates (2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha-1). Based on the field trials it can be concluded that both two-row barley (the variety 'Maali') and spring wheat (the variety 'Mooni') are suitable cover crops for the establishment of a red clover seed production field. For early red clover barley is more suitable as a cover crop. For the late red clover barley and spring wheat are equally suitable as cover crops. According to yield results of cover crop, red clover seed yield as well as economical calculations based on expenditures, reduction of recommended seed and nitrogen rate should be decrease to up to 1/3 in spring cereals cultivation. For tetraploid varieties of red clover we recommend to use 4–6 kg ha-1 (germination 100%) in the establishment of the red clover seed production field.

Keywords

• cover crop
• early and late tetraploid red clover
• nitrogen and seeding rate
• seed yield
• economical calculation