Search

The non-turning or only superficial turning of soil is considered to be a gentle tillage method. Nevertheless, conventional ploughs are widely used in organic farming for crop production reasons. For the further development of reduced tillage, and up to no tillage, the effects of three cover crop species and their incorporation with different tillage intensities on nitrogen (N) dynamics, weed emergence and the yield of the subsequent main crop, oats, were examined in a repeated organic one-year trial. Sinapis alba, Trifolium resupinatum, Vicia sativa and bare fallow were tested and incorporated using (1) a plough (PL), (2) reduced tillage (RT), (3) mulching + drilling (MD) and (4) direct drilling (DD). V. sativa was the most promising cover crop in combination with RT, MD and DD. In Trial 1, the soil mineral N content and oat yields after the introduction of V. sativa were on a similar level as those in the PL treatments, and weeds were not yield-limiting there. In Trial 2, the biomass production of V. sativa was only about half of that of Trial 1 and did not offer sufficient weed control, but V. sativa was still successful in the RT treatments. In both trials, the yield differences were more pronounced between the cover crop treatments after RT than after PL. RT, therefore, was more dependent on an adequate cover crop species than PL. The no-till method was not only dependent on an adequate cover crop species but also on its proper biomass production for sufficient weed control.

To evaluate the forage yield and quality of Berseem and Persian clover cultivars, a two-year experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). Irrigation was the main f...

Wastewater contains a surplus amount of trace metals that contaminate the soil and crops. A pot trial was performed to determine the impact of wastewater on the zinc accumulation in forages and their associated health risk. Forages both of summer (Zea mays, Echinochloa colona, Pennisetum typhoideum, Sorghum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Sesbania rostrata, and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) and winter (Trifolium alexandrinum, Medicago sativa, Brassica campestris, Trifolium resupinatum, Brassica juncea, and Brassica napus) were grown with sewage water and tap water treatment. The experiment was laid down in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The concentration of zinc in water, root and forage samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In tap water, the zinc value was 0.498 mg/L and in wastewater 0.509 mg/L, respectively. The maximum level of zinc in the forages leaves was 3.582 mg/kg found in Brassica napus grown in the winter season. The maximum observed value for zinc bioconcentration factor in Brassica juncea was (2.88) grown in winter. The values of pollution load index for zinc were found less than 1. The values of daily intake of metal and health risk index for zinc in all forages were less than 1 indicated that consumption of these forages was free of risk.

The use of natural dyes in foods enhances the product quality and they are also associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Therefore, they play significant role in human health. Chlorophyll is used as a natural pigment in a variety of foods. This study aims to prepare the extract and chlorophyll from Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.), using enzymatic and ultrasound methods and evaluation of their antioxidant and physicochemical properties. In the present study, the chlorophyll stability was evaluated in different conditions including temperature (− 18, 4 and 10 °C), time (15, 30 and 45 days), pH (4.5 and 5.5) and NaCl concentration (50, 100 and 150 mM). The results showed the chlorophyll a concentration was approximately as twice as the chlorophyll b concentration. In all of the experiments, the enzymatic method has shown better efficiency than the ultrasound one. Also, with the increment of extract concentration, the DPPH free radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) as well as total phenolic compounds, anthocyanin, and flavonoids were increased dramatically. Due to the higher efficiency of enzymatic extraction, the stability assessments were performed based on this method. The result demonstrated that 50 mM of NaCl, temperature − 18 °C, pH 4.5 and time 15 days were associated with the highest chlorophyll a and b values. According to the results the enzymatic method to prepare clover extract and its chlorophyll can be used as an efficient method for indicator pigment production in food and pharmaceutical industries. However, further testing is needed to achieve more information.

The study was carried out between 2015 and 2016 in accordance with the split plots in randomized blocks research design with 3 replications, which aimed to determine the optimal mixture rate for the production design. The results of the research were made into agricultural implementation and cost analysis was performed. Relative profit margin was used in determining the most favorable mixture rate that will be included in the production design. According to the application results, the production threshold was exceeded in all mixtures. The highest gross production value (95.90 USD da-1) and production cost (59.05 USD da-1) was obtained from the sole Anatolian Clover among the forage crop mixtures. Whereas; the lowest gross production value (71.32 USD da-1) and production cost (58.60 USD) was detected in the sole Italian ryegrass application. In addition to this, it was found that the highest relative profit margin (1.62) had been achieved in sole Anatolian clover. 50% Anatolian clover + 50% Italian ryegrass (K2) (1.40), 25% Anatolian clover + 75% Italian ryegrass (K3) (1.38) were followed to sole Anatolian clover, in terms of mixture rates. Perdenpedicular row sowing (E3) had the highest relative profit margin (1.45) in this study according to the sowing methods. As a consequently, perpendicular rows (E3) and sole Anatolian clover (T), 25A.C + 75 I.R (K3) were the most suitable sowing method and mixture ratios under Anatolian conditions, respectively.

WOS: 000505981800017, This study was carried out at Experimental fields of Ege University Faculty of Agriculture Bornovailzmir/Turkey, during the years of 2012-2014. Three different harvest dates (Early Spring, Mid Spring and Late Spring) and mixture rates (100+0%, 80+20%, 60+40% 40+60%, 20+80% and 0+100% respectively) of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) were tested. the experiment was arranged in a split block design with three replications. As the average of 2 years results, highest yield were recorded in sole Persian clover sown as catch crop and harvested in late spring under Mediterrenean climatic conditions. the data also indicated that pure Persian cover sowing provided the highest green matter, dry matter and crude protein yields, being 36.04 t ha(-1), 5.61 t ha(-1) and 89 kg ha(-1), respectively. Legume ratio, NDF and ADF concentrations increased by advancing harvest dates.

Pollen morphology of 11 species of family Fabaceae that is, Trifolium alexandrinum, Trifolium resupinatum, Arachis hypogaea, Lathyrus aphaca, Medicago lupulina, Vicia sativa, Lathyrus odoratus, Pongamia pinnata, Melilotus indicus, Medicago polymorpha, Medicago sativa from Pakistan has been investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen were generally tricolporate, radially symmetrical, isopolar, elliptic in equatorial view and triangular in polar view under LM. Results showed that pollens were per-prolate (T. alexandrinum), prolate (T. resupinatum, V. sativa, L. odoratus, Melilotus indicus, M. polymorpha, M. sativa) and sub-prolate (A. hypogaea, L. aphaca, M. lupulina, P. pinnata). The larger polar/equatorial (P/E) ratio was found in T. alexandrinum (2.26 μm) and the smallest was found in M. lupulina (1.21 μm). The exine of T. resupinatum was 3.00 μm in thickness while others posses smaller exine thickness. The larger pore diameter was found in P. pinnata (16.01 μm) while others have smaller. The length of colpi was larger in Arachis hypogaea (32.24) while others posses smaller. Eight types of surface ornamentation (Psilate, faintly rugulate). Perforate and rugulate to verrucate have been observed under SEM. The pollens were europalynous type. Pollen morphology proved to be useful for the specific delimitation and serve as a tool for the identification and classification of taxa at specific and generic levels and can also be used as a key for the taxonomic features. Diversity in exine sculpture is helpful indicative characters for the isolation of closely related species. Hence, it is clear that both qualitative and quantitative characters of pollen can be useful for differentiating between taxa at specific level.

Tomato plants, Solanum lycopersicum L., are often infested by the tomato fruit borer (TFB), Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), in northern Iran. Persian clover, Trifolium resupinatum L., was selected as a companion plant in intercropping with tomato in our experiments, due to a key role in enhancing soil fertility and soil texture, attracting flower-visiting natural enemies by production of numerous flowers, and repelling insects by phenolic compounds secretion. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of intercropping tomato (T) and Persian clover (C) in the four patterns: 1 T: 2C, 2 T: 2C, 3 T: 2C and 4 T: 2C (row ratios) in comparison with sole tomato on the densities of TFB and natural enemies in tomato plantations during 2016 and 2017 growing seasons in Iran. Moreover, yields of both crops were measured to evaluate yield benefits of intercrops. Results indicated all intercropping patterns significantly reduced the density of TFB eggs and larvae compared with sole tomato in the two growing seasons. Lower densities of TFB eggs and larvae, among intercrops, were recorded in 1 T: 2C and 2 T: 2C in the two seasons. In 2016 and 2017 growing season, the average numbers of predatory bugs, coccinellids and Chrysoperla carnea (Stephans) were higher in intercrops than in sole tomato and their abundance, among intercrops, raised with increasing the proportion of clover/tomato rows. Moreover, the egg and larval parasitism rates were higher in intercrop plots than in the control plots. The highest value of land equivalent ratio (1.29 in 2016 and 1.30 in 2017) was found in 1 T: 2C among intercrop patterns in the two cropping seasons. Therefore, we could conclude that intercropping tomato and Persian clover, especially in 1 T:2C and 2 T:2C patterns are more profitable in TFB management programs.

Intercropping and rotation systems involving legumes can be useful means to achieve a sustainable agricultural production. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is widespread among leguminous species thanks to their ability to establish symbiosis with nitrogen (N) fixing microorganisms. Moreover, the application of intercropped legumes increases the agricultural biodiversity and helps farmers to reduce N leaching preventing soil erosion and weed spreading. Little information is available regarding the contribution of N2 (atmospheric nitrogen) from symbiotic fixation of pea and clover when involved in intercropping or in succession systems with other vegetable crops. This study, carried out in a mountain agroecosystem (Venosta Valley, South Tyrol, Italy), has been conceived as part of a more complex research trial on N optimization of cauliflower intercropped and in succession with other vegetables. We have applied the 15N natural abundance technique to field grown clover and dwarf pea, with or without external N supplied, to assess the potential contribution of N2 for intercropping and crop rotation. The technique exploits naturally occurring differences in 15N abundance between plant available N sources in the soil (more enriched in the 15N isotope) and that of N2 in the atmosphere (δ15N=0‰). When a legume crop fixes N2, its 15N abundance should be lower than that of a no-N fixing crop, exploiting only the soil N pool. Reference plant N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) was the white cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis), one of the most important vegetables on a world scale belonging to the Brassicaceae family and the first vegetable crop cultivated for fresh consumption in South Tyrol. In our study, clover and pea crop residues contained around 74 and 43 kg N ha‑1, respectively. The %Ndfa for the two legumes was similar and ranged from 20% (dwarf pea) to 22% (clover). In presence of external N fertilizers, values of δ15N of the species resulted lower in comparison with the unfertilized control, making the BNF estimation difficult. The study indicated clover and dwarf pea as a potential tool to reduce inorganic fertilizers supply when included in a rotation system. Further trials are needed to confirm our results on BNF of the analysed species in different agroecosystems.

Cadmium(II) is well known for its toxicity and its removal is a prominent task in the field of environmental research. Trifolium resupinatum (TR) has been investigated for the biosorptive removal of Cd(II). The material was characterized by FTIR and SEM. These well established the nature of functional groups and the surface morphology. The effects of various process parameters including time of contact, concentration, pH and temperature were optimized. The maximum removal was observed at 20 min and a pH of7. The equilibrium was described by the Langmuir model showing the maximum biosorption of 31.95 mg/g. The binding of Cd(II) ions was found to be endothermic in nature. The biosorbent from T. resupinatum was found to adsorb potentially the toxic metal ions from its aqueous solutions.

Background The various extracts of Trifolium resupinatum (Persian clover) sprout was obtained by using different solvents and microwave assisted extraction in the present study. Then, the bifunctionalized nanoliposomes were prepared and added to soybean oil for evaluating their effect on deferring the oxidation process. Methods The total phenol and antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by using the free radical scavenging assay. Then, various nanoliposomal structures of the methanolic extract of Persian clover sprout (PCSE) were prepared by using six several formulations containing different ratios of soybean oil, lecithin and the extract. Afterward, the most stable nanoliposome was bifunctionalized by using WPC and pectin (PCSEN-W and PCSEN-WP, respectively). The size and zeta potential of nanoparticles were measured. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the effects of PCSE, PCSEN, PCSEN-W and PCSEN-WP at 100–300 ppm concentrations in deferring the oxidation process of soybean oil, the heat treatment tests were applied (PV and TBA) at 63 °C within a 20-day period. Results The methanolic extract had the highest level of total phenol and antioxidant activity. The results of creaming index and microencapsulation efficiency were exhibited that formulation containing 30% oil, 5% lecithin and 2% the extract was led to the production of the most stable nanoliposomal structure (PCSEN). The size of nanoparticles was in the range of 282.5–491.2 nm. Zeta potential of the samples was obtained in the range between − 56.9 and − 36.3 mV. Polydispersity index of them was ranged from 0.424 to 0.541. The results were confirmed the existence of stable nanoliposomal systems. The results of the PV and TBA values of the extracts in free and nanoliposomal forms were shown that the nanoliposomal forms had very good antioxidant activity against the oxidation process in soybean oil.

The irrigation with sewage water can be useful if it has no negative effects on food crop yield, soil pollution, and health of humans. However, it includes various types of contaminants like heavy metals that pollute the soil and crops. In this regard, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible health risks of heavy metals in forages. Forages both of summer and winter were grown with different water treatments (sewage water and tap water) in Department of Botany, University of Sargodha. The concentration of iron (Fe) in water, soil, and plant samples was determined. The Fe values in tap and sewage water were observed as 0.090 and 0.115 mg/L, respectively. The highest mean concentration of Fe was 9.608 mg/kg in the soil where Trifolium alexandrinum is grown, and the lowest mean concentration was 0.154 mg/kg which occurred in the soil where Trifolium resupinatum is grown in winter. The maximum mean concentration of Fe in the root samples of plants was observed as 2.483 mg/kg in Pennisetum typhoideum, and the minimum mean concentration occurred as 0.390 mg/kg in Zea mays grown in summer. The maximum bioconcentration factor value of Fe was observed for T. resupinatum (5.259) grown in winter. The maximum pollution load index value of Fe was observed for T. alexandrinum (0.1688). The maximum value of daily intake of metals was observed as 0.0731 in Medicago sativa, and the maximum health risk index value was determined as 0.1091 in P. typhoideum.

The aim of this work was to obtain adsorption isotherms and to study the drying kinetics of persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) seeds, in addition, fitting the experimental data by the predicted models of the literature. The equilibrium moisture content and the moisture adsorption behavior were found by isotherms curves at 40, 45 and 50 ºC, and the Peleg model was the most suitable. The drying kinetics was determined by thin layer assays in an air parallel flow dryer at all three temperatures. In addition, it was demonstrated the predominance of the falling drying rate period for the two species of seeds, and the critical moisture content values were approximately of 0.20 and 0.25 gwater gdry matter-1 for persian clover and arrowleaf clover seeds, respectively. The effective diffusivity values were estimated in ranges of values of 3.61×10-11 – 6.81×10-11 m² s-1 for persian clover and 6.76×10-11 – 1.15×10-10 m²s-1 for arrowleaf clover seeds and the temperature effect was expressed by an Arrhenius relation. Thus, drying kinetics confirmed the greater difficulty in moisture removal from the arrowleaf clover seeds, compared to the persian clover seeds drying, in agreement with the results obtained through adsorption isotherms. The aim of this work was to obtain adsorption isotherms and to study the drying kinetics of persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) seeds. The equilibrium moisture content and the moisture adsorption behavior were found by isotherms curves at 40, 45 and 50 ºC, and the Peleg model was the most suitable. The drying kinetics was determined by thin layer assays in an air parallel flow dryer at all three temperatures. In addition, the predominance of the falling drying rate period for the two species of seeds was observed, and the critical moisture content values were approximately of 0.20 and 0.25 gwater gdry matter-1 for persian clover and arrowleaf clover seeds, respectively. The effective diffusivity values were estimated in ranges of values of 3.61×10-11 – 6.81×10-11 m² s-1 for persian clover and 6.76×10-11 – 1.15×10-10 m²s-1 for arrowleaf clover seeds and the temperature effect was expressed by an Arrhenius relation. Thus, drying kinetics confirmed the greater difficulty in moisture removal from the arrowleaf clover seeds, compared to the persian clover seeds drying, in agreement with the results obtained through adsorption isotherms.

There is a lack of research on the practice of intercropping sugar beet and the impact of such agrocenoses on soil and crop fertility, especially under organic farming conditions. For this reason, a three-year stationary field experiment was performed at Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy, Lithuania. Sugar beet was grown continuously with intercropped Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L., MC), white mustard (Sinapis alba L., MM) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L., MB) as a living mulch. Inter-row loosening (CT) and mulching with ambient weeds (MW) were used as comparative treatments. The results showed that, under minimal fertilization, CT and intercropping increased the average content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. However, the average content of magnesium was reduced in single cases (MW, MB), and the average content of sulphur was reduced in all cases. Intercropping significantly decreased the yields of sugar beet root-crop, but was mainly neutral in quality terms. The meteorological conditions during experimentation had a weak impact on root-crop quantity and quality. Generally, the practice of sugar beet intercropping requires more detailed research on how to minimize the competition between the sugar beet, living mulch and weeds, and how to balance the nutrition conditions.

Clover which is an herbaceous, annual, and self-pollinated plant belongs to fabaceae family (legumes) and has become naturalized in Iran, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean eastern suburban countries. The aim of the present study is ITS molecular evaluation of the nuclear ribosomal genes of lines and landraces of Persian Clover. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW method and by MegAlign software and the dendrogram of different phylogenetic and matrix relationships between the sequences were drawn. The results showed little genetic diversity between the lines and the landrace. The conserved sequence of the analyzed gene in the Persian clover is 561 base. Totally, 740 loci (69 and 671 loci, respectively, with and without removal and addition), 9 Singletons, and 5 haplotypes were identified. The highest rate of transfer was observed in pyrimidine (%16.3). The numerical value of the ratio (dN/dS) was 0.86, and since it was less than 1, the pure selection on the studied gene happened. The lines and landraces were not separated based on their geographic locations. In general, the results indicated that the highest rate of the regional diversity belonged to the clover plants in Lorestan region. Moreover, ITS markers did not seem suitable enough for evaluating the intra- species genetic variation, but it was quite well- suited for inter-species or intergeneric evaluation. The nanotechnology is a relatively new technology that has recently entered the field of agriculture. Nanotechnology covers the integration or manipulation of individual atoms, molecules or molecular masses to a diverse array of structures allowing the production of new characteristics and traits of interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar application of TiO2 nanoparticles on quantitative traits (plant height, number of branches, dry weight of shoots and roots) and the essential oil content of thyme under different levels of field capacity. Our results showed that the application of TiO2 nanoparticles had significant effects on thyme growth, while the essential oil concentrations not affected. These results imply that the application of TiO2 nanoparticles in plants increase agronomic value under reduced irrigation conditions but has not different significant on essential oil.

Seed production of four annual clover species, arrowleaf (Trifolium vesiculosum), balansa (Trifolium michelianum), gland (Trifolium glanduliferum) and Persian (Trifolium resupinatum) was quantified from four sowing dates in 2010. Following initial sowing rate at 4–6 kg/ha, these clovers produced seed yields up to ∼2340 kg/ha for balansa and gland, 914 kg/ha for arrowleaf and ∼814 kg/ha for Persian. After herbage was removed the clover seedlings that regenerated produced a maximum ground cover of 91% for balansa, 65% for gland, 17% for Persian and 6% for arrowleaf. The seeds of ‘Mihi’ Persian clover were all soft and none were recovered in the soil after three months of burial. In contrast, arrowleaf clover had the highest percentage of hardseededness (>97%) and therefore retained most of its viable seeds in the soil into the second year. The differences in hardseededness and regeneration potential mean different management strategies for their successful establishment into dryland farming systems.

The most suitable land for agricultural use has been gradually occupied by crops around the world. Large, uninterrupted croplands have been created, while disproportionate amounts of fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides are applied on them. As a result, agricultural activity has a negative impact on biodiversity the ecological intensification of cultivated lands has become necessary. Multifunctional Margins (MFM), the establishment of native flora margins adjacent to croplands, provide a semi-natural habitat for food and wildlife refuge. Three different species mixtures sown in MFM were studied in this paper. The large capacity of six species used in MFM (Borago officinalis, Glebionis coronaria, Coriandrum sativum, Sinapis alba, Trifolium resupinatum and Vicia sativa) was determined. Reductions of up to 65% in the appearance of weeds and increases of 36% in pollinator biodiversity in sown MFM with respect to the MFM of spontaneous flora were observed. The biodiversity of the epigeal fauna increased by 15% in the MFM of spontaneous flora and by 32% in sown MFM, with respect to annual crops.

A field experiment was conducted in Aleshtar, Iran during 2015-16 growing season to evaluate the effect of limited water supply during seed filling period on seed quality changes of Persian clover. The experiment was carried out as a 2×6 factorial with three replications. Irrigation systems including conventional (all root system was irrigated) and partial root-zone irrigation (half of root system exposed to dry soil and the other half was watered) and harvest time (initiated from 10 days after flowering (DAA) and continued on six occasions at 5-day intervals) were used as treatments. Germination percentage, seedling dry mass, electrical conductivity and 1000-seed mass were used as seed quality traits. Seed quality attributes were significantly affected by harvest time and irrigation system, but the interaction of irrigation system × harvest time was not significant. While seed mass and electrical conductivity were not significantly affected by irrigation system, seedling dry mass and germination percentage were reduced under deficit irrigation. Partial root-zone irrigation reduced seed quality, Persian clover needs to experience no water deficit during seed formation and maturation period to produce high quality and quantity seeds.

We report two populations of Trifolium resupinatum (Reversed Clover, trèfle résupiné) from southern Ontario, confirming it as established in Canada. This Eurasian and north African species was reported in the late 1800s in New Brunswick and Quebec, where it apparently did not persist. Its distribution across the United States is sporadic.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) requires large amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer to produce high yields. The intercropping of cauliflower with a leguminous species may help farmers to reduce N fertilizer rates, production costs and environmental pollution. Moreover, the recycling of crop residues can contribute to the nutritional support of subsequent crops in a rotation. In this study, cauliflower was cultivated in year one either alone or intercropped with annual clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.), using four N fertilization rates: 0, 75, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1 (referred to as N0, N1, N2, and N3 respectively). Following crop residue incorporation in year two, iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata (L.) Janchen) was cropped on the same field without the supply of N fertilizer to assess the effect of cauliflower and clover residues as well as of residual N fertilizer rates on the growth and N uptake of lettuce. The presence of clover did not affect the marketable yields of the intercropped cauliflower, which were similar to the cauliflower sole-cropped. The N1 and N2 fertilizer rates maximized both growth and N uptake of the intercropped cauliflower, while with the N3, crop development was limited. In the N0 plot, the legume competed for N and depressed growth and N absorption of cauliflower. The sole-cropped cauliflower was, on the contrary, unaffected by the N fertilizer rates. The iceberg lettuce cultivated in succession benefited from the presence of clover in plots N1 and N2. When succeeded to the sole-cropped cauliflower, however, the iceberg lettuce produced less biomass and absorbed less N. Results from this study suggest that the intercropping system cauliflower-clover can be a sustainable tool to optimize N input and reduce N fertilizer requirements for the successive crop.

In this study, effect of the 4-day germination on the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and fatty acids profile of Persian clover seeds ( Trifolium resupinatum ) was investigated. In addition, clover sprouts was immersed in 0.5, 1 and 2% thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) essential oil (EO) solutions, packaged in polyethylene containers and stored at refrigerated temperature (4 °C) for 10 days. As seedling progressed, the moisture, protein, crude fibre and ash content increased, whilst fat and carbohydrate reduced. After 4-day germination, ascorbic acid, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity indicated 1.3, 2 and 1.5 fold increase, respectively. Sprouting caused significantly (p 10 unit reduction, just after treatment. During storage, the population of natural microflora increased significantly (p

New Zealand hill and high country are marginal environments for perennial ryegrass and white clover. Other pasture species, particularly legumes, provide more productive and persistent options for the range of soil climate and topography found in these environments. On cultivatable hill country, lucerne (alfalfa) has been successfully introduced to dryland areas with imported seed increasing five-fold to 210 t per annum over the last decade. This has led to the first release of a New Zealand selected cultivar in 20 years. For subterranean clover reliance on hardseeded Australian cultivars that frequently fail to meet New Zealand biosecurity standards means seed supply is inconsistent. The potential exists to create a niche seed market through selection of locally adapted material grown for seed in New Zealand. Lotus pedunculatus is available commercially but seed often fails to meet certification standards and is predominantly used in forestry. Lotus corniculatus requires agronomic research to overcome some management constraints and the re-establishment of seed supply before it would be a viable option for drier hill country. Seed production for perennial lupins in New Zealand is predominantly for an export ornamental market, with some direct relationships with growers allowing onfarm use. Caucasian clover seed production has ceased in New Zealand and the demand for seed particularly from high country farmers is no longer met. The smallseeded annual balansa clover is being integrated into farm systems and its prolific seeding has enabled some on-farm production of seed for personal use. For it and arrowleaf and Persian clovers, imported cultivars are available and a local market is unlikely to thrive until agronomic and hard seed issues are addressed. Seed supply of forage legumes to satisfy demand for hill country is problematic and will require development of different models including grower co-ops, regional seed retailers, and on-farm production for niche markets. Keywords: alfalfa, Lolium perenne, Lupinus polyphyllus, Medicago sativa, perennial ryegrass, Sitona lepidus, Trifolium ambiguum, Trifolium michelianum, Trifolium repens, Trifolium resupinatum, Trifolium subterraneum, Trifolium tumens, Trifolium vesiculosum, white clover

Plants from the genus Trifolium have been utilized in the treatment of chronic diseases by many cultures. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of flavonoids isolated from Trifolium resupinatum L. using an in vitro radical scavenging assay and a computational study of the structure-antioxidant activity relationship (SAR). A phytochemical fractionation of the ethanolic extract of T. resupinatum resulted in the isolation of one new flavonoid along with six known flavonoids. The structure of the isolated compounds was elucidated by data obtained from UV, IR, MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR spectra. The order of antioxidant efficacies of the isolated flavonoids, obtained by DPPH assay, was correlated to that predicted by the computational analysis. To verify the antioxidant potential, the effect of T. resupinatum on oxidative stress, and the expression of the antioxidant enzymes and the redox sensitive nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in a cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity rat model was investigated. T. resupinatum protected against cyclophosphamide-induced liver injury through attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation, and up-regulation of Nrf2. Therefore, the present study provides the first clarification of the detailed antioxidant SARs of T. resupinatum flavonoids and points to the involvement of Nrf2 in their hepatoprotective activity.

Leaf appearance rate and time to canopy expansion of four annual clover species (arrowleaf, balansa, gland and Persian) were quantified in field and controlled environment studies. Crops sown in autumn, which experienced shortening daylengths at emergence, had a slower rate of leaf production and consequently took a longer time to initiate branching, than spring-sown crops. When autumn-sown ‘Bolta’ balansa clover emerged on the shortest day in winter (21 June), the rate of leaf appearance was lengthened by 4 °C d/leaf/h. When the same species emerged after the shortest day, into an increasing photoperiod, the phyllochron was shortened by 5 °C d/leaf/h. This influence of photoperiod on the phyllochron consequently altered the time to axillary leaf production (branching). Throughout all sowing dates, phyllochron was the fastest for ‘Prima’ gland (33–91 °C d/leaf) and slowest for ‘Cefalu’ arrowleaf (53–116 °C d/leaf) clovers. ‘Bolta’ balansa was 44–82 °C d/leaf and ‘Mihi’ Persian 61–93 °C d/leaf. The response of phyllochron to photoperiod suggests these annual clovers should be sown in late summer or early autumn to initiate axillary leaf production as soon as possible to ensure maximize dry matter for early spring.

There is an ever-increasing demand for high quality forage legumes, essential to feed livestock. Micropropagation may be useful to preserve elite allelic compositions in allogamous and auto-incompatible forage legume species, as is the case of Trifolium resupinatum L. (Persian clover). Etiolation-like phenotypes in in vitro cultured plants, with long weak stems and sparse leaves, together with flowering, compromises the long term establishment and maintenance of explants and the adequate development of plants when transferred to ex vitro. Aiming to develop a solution to limit the impact of in vitro etiolation-like effects, flowering and plant viability, we used a very prone to etiolate elite T. resupinatum genotype maintained through in vitro propagation for over 1 year. Stem segments were subcultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with 2.22, 4.56 or 9.12 µM of zeatin; with 4.44 or 8.88 µM of benzyladenine or with 2.89 or 14.44 µM of gibberellic acid. Gibberellic acid supplementation was detrimental and ultimately led to the death of the explants. Supplementation with 2.22 µM zeatin produce no significant differences from control; however higher concentrations of zeatin, as well as of benzyladenine, diminished the longer internodes and increased the development of shoots with more stout stems. Although rooting was prevented by cytokinins, it was successfully induced when explants were transferred to MS media without plant growth regulators. The 9.12 µM zeatin condition was the most favorable since it reversed the etiolation-like phenotype, inhibited in vitro flowering and improved acclimation from 28.7 to 90 % in the FTTr07.13 T. resupinatum genotype.

Cover crop (CC) benefits and adoption in crop rotations may be limited by the short planting window after the cash crop. Interseeding or relay intercropping of CC is a technique that could overcome short planting windows constraints and allow CC establishment and growth. However, in Mediterranean regions this technique has been poorly implemented. Field experiments were established in Central Spain during two consecutive growing seasons to assess the performance of different species as interseeded crops into irrigated maize (Zea mays L.). The treatments included annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and eight legumes: burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.), barrel medic (Medicago truncatula L.), yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis L.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), balansa clover (Trifolium michelanium L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.), and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.). A bare soil was included as control treatment. After the maize harvest, the four species with the best performance were planted as autumn cover crops in adjacent plots. The ground cover was studied throughout the experimental period, and biomass and N content for each species were determined in the autumn and in the following spring prior to the cover crop termination. The soil inorganic N content was determined in spring. Barrel medic, yellow sweetclover, common vetch and annual ryegrass were the species with the best performance in terms of soil coverage during the summer. Red clover and Persian clover had good establishment in one out of two years. None of the interseeded species impaired maize grain yield or quality. Interseeded species achieved better soil coverage and increased the biomass accrued at autumn compared to cover crops sown in October. Therefore, interseeded species ensured longer ground coverage, increasing the potential for soil quality improvement or weed suppression. Moreover, the higher biomass achieved by interseeded species ensured the survival of yellow sweetclover, which was winter killed when planted in the autumn. Interseeded cover crops enhanced the potential of N leaching reduction compared to autumn cover crops. This experiment confirms the suitability of different species interseeded in summer into irrigated maize in Mediterranean regions, and highlights the extra benefits of this practice in annual rotations.