Picture: Kiwi Seed 'Arrotas' Arrowleaf Clover

Hard seeds require longer exposure to environmental conditions before water can breach the seed coat and germinate the seed. This has long been viewed as generally undesirable in New Zealand dryland pasture systems. But this characteristic is perhaps a little misunderstood. 

An annual clover with a proportion of hard seed is included in a mix for a reason – greater first year growth than a perennial clover, and superior ability to withstand drought conditions. But the hard seed content can play an important role in the success of the permanent mixed species pasture too.

When establishing a mixed species pasture, often the farmer can run short on feed and will graze the new pasture before the annual clover has set seed. In this instance, the hard seed content in the original establishment sowing will be sitting ready to germinate the following autumn. No harm done!

When the perennial clover dries out and dies in drought conditions, the annual clover has already set seed; it dies as part of its life cycle anyway. There’s no coming back from death for a perennial clover, but the seed set with a proportion of hard seed from the annual clover means the farmer can graze it early, more years than not.

Hard seed has been getting a hard time – perhaps when it comes to resilient pastures we should all be softening our stance on it!

Hamish Stace - Kiwi Seed Agronomist