Characteristics of naturalized populations of white clover (Trifolium repens) in Atlantic Canada

Abstract

Some characteristics of seven populations of naturalized white clover (Trifolium repens L.) from native pastures in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick were investigated. Nine vegetative characters were measured on 16- to 18-week-old plants, and within and between population differences determined for cyanogenesis. Variation was observed between and within populations for all measured characteristics. Leaf marks were predominately the central V-shaped chevron; one population had plants without the chevron. Relative leaf size (length × width) ranged from 145 to 784 mm2. Hydrogen cyanide concentrations in leaf laminae were lower in cyanogenic (AcLi) and glucosidic (Acli) genotypes than enzymatic (acLi) genotypes. HCN concentrations in genotypes varied between and within populations. A population from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, had several desirable agronomic features, e.g., larger leaves, longer petioles, and thicker stolons than other populations, and could be used in a breeding programme for improved winter-hardy white clover varieties suited for rotational grazing and silage in Atlantic Canada.