Effect of land use history on white clover establishment as influenced by Rhizobium concentration and nematode pressure

White clover ( Trifolium repens L.) is a valuable legume in sustainable dairy farming. This research aimed to investigate the influence of different land use histories on its establishment, as influenced by the concentration of Rhizobium bacteria and nematode pressure in soil. In a first experiment (Experiment I), a white clover growth assay was used to determine Rhizobium concentrations in soils with a land use history of either arable or grass-clover crops. In a follow-up experiment (Experiment II), the influence of Rhizobium inoculation and nematicide application on white clover establishment were assessed using three different soils in a greenhouse pot experiment. The results of Experiment I supported the hypothesis that arable soils (2.14 * 10 2 cells g soil −1 ) have lower Rhizobium concentrations than grass-clover soils (6.30 * 10 4 cells g soil −1 ). In Experiment II, Rhizobium inoculation increased the number of nodules on the top 1-cm of the taproot in the soil with a land use history of permanent arable cropping, but did not significantly increase white clover biomass. In the permanent grass-clover soil, nematicide raised herbage yield at the first cut and increased the remaining stubble after the second cut. Overall, this research emphasises the complex interplay between Rhizobium concentration, nematode pressure, and soil nitrogen level in white clover establishment, and highlights the trade-offs involved in choosing fields with different land use histories for (re)seeding white clover, offering insights for farmers seeking to maximise the benefits of this important legume in sustainable agriculture.