Legume species growth patterms and their establishment ability in various environments

Growth pattems and establishιnent ability of three perennial legumes Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense and Trifoliuιn repens and three varities of the annual legume Trifolium subterraneunι Barker, Trikkala, Woogenellup were studied under semi -arid cliιnate conditions under a Pinus bmtia understory and on spoil piles. Leaf area (LA), specific leaf weight (SLW), specific leaf area (SLA), the growth rate of plant total height and root length, as the ratios of total height/total root system dry weight to plant leaf area /total root system dry weight to plant level were measured during the growing season. Our results showed that Medicago sativa and the varity Barker of Trifolium subterraneum species were the most productive species. The best establishment ability under a Pinus understory had the species Trifolium repens and the varities Trikkala and Barker and on spoil piles the species Medicago sativa and the varity Woogenellup.