Seed production of native hay clovers in the highlands of eastern Africa

Studies of seed production in some native clovers [Trifolium steudneri, ?: quartinianum, I rueppellianum and I: alexandrinum (control)] were undertaken at Shola in the Ethiopian highlands (1983) and at Kabete in the central highlands of Kenya (1990). Trifolium steudneri and I quartinianum had the highest seed yields on a Vertisol soil at Shola. Seed yields were lower on a volcanic Nitosol soil at Kabete than at Shola, possibly due to the shorter duration of the wet season, At Shola, P fertiliser application significantly (P<0.05) increased seed yields. Highest costs were incurred in hand harvesting and were 82% of total production costs. The yield and seed production costs of African clovers are related to those of other tropical legumes produced in Kenya.