Effect of Nitrogen on Trifolium repens (White clover)

[Kiwigirl]

I am planning an investigation that will test the following hypothesis: Increasing Nitrogen through the application of Nitrogen fertilizer will cause a significant decline in the growth habit of Trifolium repens.

Area A has N = 10, Area B has N = 20 and Area C has N = 30. I will extract one randomly selected white clover plant rom each of the sample areas before the Nitrogen is applied. I will record measurements of stolon length (cm), the number of nodes per stolon and number of roots per stolon. After a 2 week period, I will extract a further set of plants for comparison. This will allow me to research whether the application of Nitrogen fertilizer on Trifolium repens has any significant effect.

I would love to discuss with others the possible outcome of this research and any estimations that you may have. For example, will the stolon length decrease? Will the number of roots per stolon change? etc.

Thanks for your time, it will be great hearing back from you

[MrMistery]

why would more nitrogen decrese the growth of Trifolium. I mean, in most plants, nitrogen is the limiting element, so i would think it would increase growth of any plants.

[Kiwigirl]

A highly desirable feature of white clover in pastures is its nitrogen fixing ability, a result of the symbiotic relationship between white clover and the bacterium Rhizobium trifolii, resulting in the formation of nodules in which the Rhizobium fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Environmental factors such as soil pH, light, defoliation, temperature, soil nutrient status and water stress can influence Rhizobium infection, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation processes, as well as host growth and nitrogen demand.

Nitrogen fixation improves the nitrogen content of soil lessening the need for fertilisers. Therefore, when Nitrogen fertilizers are used on Trifolium repens, it often has an adverse effect on the plant and if too potent, kills it all together.

I hope this clarifies my hypothesis a bit better

[Linn]

yes, and so since clover needs no additional app of nitrogen, anything in supplemental nitrogen will no doubt cause it to become very dark green, the stems and leaves will grow larger than normal, but the roots and stolons will be weaker, thus in the long run, will be detrimental.

My prediction

[tonythetoad]

Hey Kiwigirl,
Did you ever get any results? I am doing the same scenario now on golf courses. I definately think you will cease the infestation of clover by adding nitrogen. I am guessing Nitrogen is your control? You might also want to look into dropping the Phosphorus in the soil. I am positive that low Phosphorus and high Nitrogen will wipe it out. (fellow kiwi here too, now Canadian)
Tony

[MichaelXY]

Did you happen to notice the date of the original post?