THE MORPHOLOGY OF CLOVER STOLON GROWTH

The biology of stolons was studied in six cultivars of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) grown in mixtures with S23 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Each clover plant when fully established produced 4-8 stolons growing horizontally away from the plant by growth at the apex. A basal root initial which developed into adventitious root and a lateral stolon initial contained in the leaf axil, were produced at the stolon node.

Frequent defoliation markedly reduced the length and density of stolons, but more so in large-leaved cultivars which produced less stolons than small leaved cultivars. This probably accounts for the superior persistency of small-leaved cultivars like S184 and S100.