Skip to main content

Story: Agricultural and horticultural research

White clover

Image
White clover

The most important pasture plant in New Zealand is white clover, which can ‘fix’ nitrogen from the atmosphere and release it in the soil to stimulate growth in associated grasses. White clover has been the relatively low-cost basis for pasture production since intensive research into species for New Zealand conditions began in the 1930s. This crop in full flower is being managed for seed production.

Using this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: DSCF0601.jpg

by Peter E. Smith

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Ross Galbreath, Agricultural and horticultural research – Advances in plant science, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/19684/white-clover (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ross Galbreath, published 1 March 2009.