Fixation and transfer of nitrogen in a white clover‐grass sward under hill conditions

Abstract

SUMMARY Experiments are described to illustrate the different effect of defoliation and diurnal changes in light intensity and temperature on grazed white clover (Trifolium repens) ecotypes and pot grown clover. Removing all the fully expanded leaves from grazed clover has no effect on nodule numbers or on nitrogen fixing activity during the phase of early season rapid growth. No diurnal rhythm in nitrogen fixing activity is apparent in grazed clover swards. Isotope dilution experiments demonstrate that in the first half of the growing season underground transfer of nitrogen is low in cut plots in a previously grazed hill situation. The results are briefly described in the context of improved hill pasture utilisation.