Interference effects in white clover genotypes grown as pure stands and binary mixtures with different grass species and varieties.

Six white clover genotypes and eight grass varieties belonging to four different species were grown both in monoculture and as grass-legume binary mixtures in dense swards for two years under a mowing regime and a management including N fertilization. Dry matter yield and yield-related traits were recorded to investigate some aspects of inter-specific interference in white clover-based mixtures and to define a methodology for selecting genotypes of this clover suited to conditions of association. Clover was at a competitive disadvantage in most mixtures. Differences among grasses for aggressiveness were related more to variety vigour than to species. Clover compatibility proved specific only in relation to grass vigour. Variation among clovers for tolerance to competitive stress involved significant cross-over interactions passing from monoculture to severe stress conditions for clover yield and other traits, and was related positively to stolon density and negatively to yield and leaf gigantism traits recorded in monoculture. Clover selection for high levels of competitive stress seems possible either by genotype assessment in stress conditions or by a combination of high yield and stolon density assessed in monoculture.