Output details

AberClaret- a diploid red clover

Recognition of red clover as a source of home grown protein has led to increasing interest in the production of red clover within the UK. The IBERS red clover breeding programme has therefore focused on the development of innovative red clover varieties that improve the yield and persistence of red clover as a high quality protein crop.

Typically, red clover is persistent for two years and then yields decline. Research has been carried out to understand the factors contributing to lack of plant persistence within mixed swards, particularly in relation to crown structure and impact on plant persistence. Selection criteria based on this information was developed and used to breed AberClaret.

The early flowering diploid red clover variety AberClaret (Aa 4495) was selected from the variety Formica. Selections were made for exceptionally high yield, strong crowns and greater persistence. The variety was based on 14 genotypes selected for these traits as well as for low formonenitin and resistance to stem rot. The 14 genotypes were polycrossed in an isolation house using bumble bees and the seed harvested (based on a balanced bulk) was used as the basis of the variety.

Following several generations of seed production, AberClaret was sown with a ryegrass companion crop and the dry matter yield of the grass and red clover component quantified at three cuts in each harvest year. Plant persistence was also quantified. Improved plant persistence and high dry matter yield has been a key component of the IBERS programme. AberClaret was persistent and high yielding for up to 4 harvest years which when translated to agricultural systems will produce increased yields of high protein forage representing a significant economic benefit to the producer. On this basis it was entered into Official Variety Trials and added to the National List in March 2010.