Requirements on red clover breeding regarding crop production and animal nutrition and its implementation into the breeding process

Abstract

Red Clover is an important cultivar for fodder production which produces feed high in protein. Especially in organic agriculture red clover is essential. New requirements on red clover breeding are the new pest anthracnose (Colletotrichum), the enhancement of fodder quality by secondary plant compounds such as polyphenol oxidase, as well as the enhancement of seed yield in tetraploid red clover varieties. Furthermore the main attention in breeding red clover is turned on yield and yield stability. The advantages of red clover and mixed stands with grasses should attract more interest in agriculture in general.