Garden Clover
- Local identifier
- R/GC/8
- Years operational
- 1854—
- Objective
- To test whether red clover could be grown continuously on a rich garden soil.
- Description
- The smallest and simplest of the Rothamsted Classical experiments, with (until 1956) only one, unmanured plot measuring 3m by 2.1m. Yields were very large for the first 10 years averaging about 10 t dry matter ha-1, probably because the soil was rich in nutrients and the soil-borne pests and diseases of clover were absent. Reasonable yields were obtained over the next 30 years but thereafter yields showed a marked decline and there were several complete failures. Between 1956 and 1972 the plot was sub-divided and a sequence of tests made of K, molybdenum (Mo), formalin, N and Mg, but the the crop was usually severely damaged during the winter by clover rot (Sclerotinia trifoliorum) and was resown each spring. Since 1973 basal N, P, K, Mg and chalk have been applied. Between 1976 and 1978 aldicarb was tested as a control for clover cyst nematode, Heterodera trifolii, which was known to be present, and the cultivar Hungaropoly, believed resistant to clover-rot, was compared with the standard susceptible variety S.123. The plot then grew Hungaropoly only, with basal aldicarb (until 1988), and tested the fungicide benomyl from 1980-90. The cultivar was changed to Merviot in 1996. Between 1979 and 2006 the experiment has been resown seven times. A mean yield of 13t ha-1 has been achieved in this period, with up to 20 t ha-1 in some years. In 2013 the clover variety was changed to Milvus Other than Park Grass, with its mixed herbage, this is the only Classical experiment where a non-graminaceous crop has been grown continuously. In terms of microbial diversity, its soil provides a potentially valuable contrast with those of Broadbalk and Hoosfield.
- Data Access Statement
- Available to any researcher on request
- Data license
- CC BY
- Data URL
- http://www.era.rothamsted.ac.uk/Other#SEC3
- Data policy
- Yes (not online)
- Organization
- Rothamsted Researchresearch organisation
- People
Site: Rothamsted Manor Garden
- Type
- research station field
- Local code
- R/WF/3
- Location
- HarpendenHertfordshireUnited Kingdom
- Geographic location
- 51.806624, -0.370152
- Elevation
- 130 Metres
- Visits permitted?
- Yes
- Visiting arrangements
- By arrangement with Dr Andy Gregory, LTE Manager
- Climatic type
- temperate oceanic climate
Design period: Single plot phase (1854—1956)
- Number of plots
- 1
- Crop
Crop Years grown red clover
Design period: Nutrient and formalin tests (1956—1972)
- Crops
Crop Years grown
Design period: Aldicarb tests (1976—1978)
- Description
- Aldicarb was tested as a control for clover cyst nematode, Heterodera trifolii, which was known to be present, and the cultivar Hungaropoly, believed resistant to clover-rot, was compared with the standard susceptible variety S.123.
- Number of plots
- 4
- Crop
Crop Years grown red clover - Factors
- Factor name
- Factor levels
- cultivar Plot application: Whole plot
Hungaropoly
S.123
- fungicide exposure Plot application: Whole plotEffect: Direct
control exposure
aldicarb (10 kg/ha)
Application method: broadcast application methodapplied to seedbed
Design period: Benomyl tests (1980—1990)
- Number of plots
- 4
- Crops
Crop Years grown - Factor
- Factor name
- Factor levels
- fungicide exposure Plot application: Whole plotEffect: Direct
control exposure
benomyl
1980—1989Application frequency: Applied in winterApplication method: foliar application
Design period: Residuals of fungicides (1991—)
- Description
- To study yields and pathogens of red clover grown continuously
- Design description
- The experiment now tests the residual effects of fungicides applied in the previous design period.
- Number of plots
- 4
- Crop
Crop Years grown red clover - Factor
- Factor name
- Factor levels
- fungicide exposure Plot application: Whole plotEffect: Residual
Related publications
- Details of the Classical and Long-term Experiments 1968-1973 https://doi.org/10.23637/ERADOC-1-193 [In English]