Comparative Growth of Arrowleaf, Crimson, Rose and Subterranean Clovers in East Texas

Annual clovers (Trlfolium sp.) differ in maturity and plant growth during the growing season. Undefoliated plots of Yuchi arrowleaf (T. vesiculosum Savi,), Tibbee crimson (T. incarnatum L.), Overton R18 rose (T. hurtim All.), and Mt. Barker subterranean (T. subterneum L.) clovers were sampled biweekly throughout the growing season in east Texas to study shoot and root weight. Species ranking for shoot weight during the first 100 days was crimson > subterranean > arrowleaf > rose. Ranking for root weight was the same except crimson and subterranean clovers had similar root weights for the first 49 days. Shoot weight increased rapidly in spring in the order of crimson, subterranean, rose, and arrowleaf which is the same ranking for maturity. Maximum species shoot weight was arrowleaf 29.8 g, crimson 9.9 g, rose 6.2 g, and subterranean clover 4.5 g, which was a reflection of plant height at maturity.