HERBAGE AND SEED YIELD LOSSES IN 6 VARIETIES OF SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER FROM RUST (UROMYCES-TRIFOLII-REPENTIS)

Studies were conducted to determine the herbage and seed yield losses caused by rust (Uromyces trifolii-repentis Liro) in field plots of 6 subterranean clover varieties. By early October (mid spring), rust caused large reductions in herbage production in varieties Green Range (25.9%), Mount Barker (24.8%), Woogenellup (20.3%), Mulwala (18.7%) and Karridale (15.2%). By the beginning of November (late spring), herbage yield losses were greater in Mulwala (50.5%), Green Range (49.4%), Woogenellup (36.9%) and Mount Baker (34.1%). Rust also caused large reductions in seed yield in Green Range (89.4%), Mulwala (84.8%), Karridale (70.2%), Woogenellup (67.2%) and Mount Barker (39.5%). The variety Larisa was highly resistant to rust, with no significant (P > 0.05) reduction in herbage or seed yield.