If you do choose to cover your seed to help retain moisture and hold the seed in place, we recommend a maximum depth of 14. Plant alsike at 24 pounds per acre, at a depth of 14 to 12 inch. Bee clover mix was developed to promote bee and pollinator insect populations. You can cover the seed with topsoil, sterilized straw, or peat moss. Seed can shatter easily, so proper harvest timing is critical. Annual and perennial forage clovers for arkansas fsa37.
Pdf plus 145 k control of volunteer alsike clover in timothy grown for seed. Excellent stands of kura clover can be obtained with 8 pounds of seed per acre or as low as 5 pounds per acre. Trade agreements extension act of 1951, as amended of the. Alsike clover is a perennial clover first introduced to agriculture from sweden in 1834. It hasthe best seedling vigor of the annual clovers. Tolerance of established alsike clover to herbicides, falher 2009visual injury, seed yields and. Alsike clover should be secded as early as possible in the spring. The principal areas of alsike clover seed production are more limited than the areas of alsike hay production. Alsike clover is a short lived perennial clover that acts as a biennial. It prefers soils that are moist, and therefore tends to grow better in areas that receive adequate rainfall. Establishment alsike clover has approximately 680,000 seeds per pound. Control of volunteer alsike clover in timothy grown for.
Alsike can fix 60120 lbs nacyr and two to five tons dm forage yield. Alsike clover alsike clover trifolium hybridum alsike clover is an extremely winter hardy perennial clover. Alsike white clover is a shortlived perennial clover that tolerates wet and acidic soils much better than alfalfa and slightly better than red clover. It is ideal for hay production in areas of high precipitation or poorly drained soils and for. To facilitate seed production and betweenrow weed control, it is desirable to plant white clover in spaced rows instead of solid stands. It is grown widely in the eastern and northern midwestern states from bulk clover seeds, and in the pacific northwest. Red clover seed production factsheet by gerald huebner, p. Enhancing nectar production with clover innovative methods to. It produces blossoms heavy in pollen and nectar from april until july, peaking in the summer months.
The clover produces honey white in color and with a mild flavor. Annual and perennial forage clovers for arkansas uaex. Alsike clover scientific names trifolium hybridum strengths high nutritive value and productive late in the season in cool temperate areas just too dry to sustain white clover. The main yield of alsike clover is harvested in the first cut. The plot area was seeded to alsike clover for seed production in 2003. Alsike clover is a finestemmed, shortlived perennial legume utilized for pasture and hay production primarily in mixtures with red clover and timothy or other cool season grasses on soils that vary in drainage and acidity. Alsike clover is in size somewhere in between dutch white clover and red clover. Alsike clovers pollination biology and seed production have been studied with particular interest because it is a valued fodder plant. There were no differences in seed yield and seed germination among the treatments. Alsike clover plants were grown in six different concentrations of boron to study the growth effect of boron on alsike clover and to observe how the intercrossing of plants having different boron conteat affected seed production. The reported acreage of individual clover field seeding in 2016 was 5,937 acres of sweetclover, 203 acres of white clover, 201 acres of red clover and 53 acres of subterranean clover, according to the north dakota farm service agency. Alsike clover can be deadly to horses the western producer. John barbarich custom combined the alsike clover in 2005 with a john deere 9750 combine and it did a superior job with very fine straw chopping, a consideration for producers who wish to direct seed annual crops. Utilized for pasture and hay production in mixtures with other legumes and coolseason grasses.
Enhancing nectar production with clover innovative methods. Seed broadcasted into open pastures may have to be worked into the soil with either a harrow. Effect of boron application on seed production of new zealand. Alsike clover forage information system oregon state. Seed may be broadcast or drilled into recently grazed or cut pasture. Semierect growth habit with fine stems, typically feet 3090 cm tall.
Alsike clover is perennial with erect or generally ascending stems which do not root at the base as do those of white clover. Alsike seed should always be inoculated due to the infrequent use of the species. Plant white clover seed at 1 to 3 pounds pls per acre in 20 to 24 inch rows. The use of clean seed and rotation with nonlegume crops are the. Most of the high priced clover seeds have been genetically bred to produce prefered traits which includes taste. Ladino clover seed production in california uc anr. It grows well in poorly drained soil and offers high forage quality, similar to alfalfa. Seeding rates vary depending on the area of cultivation, cultivar used, soil type, and intended use of crop, e. The alsike clover did recover from the injury prior to harvest.
Tolerance of established alsike clover seed crops to viper. However, it is well suited to poor climates and wet soils. Most commonly, diploid varieties are grown in western canada, but there are also tetraploid types double the number of chromosomes with taller plants, larger leaves, and flowers. The great bulk of the alsike clover seed is used for the production of hay and pasture. Like other clovers, alsike is fertilized by insects.
In order to achieve optimal nitrogen fixation ability, alsike clover needs to be inoculated with rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii. No innate adaptations for long range dispersal major pests. Alsike clover, trifolium hybridum flowers naturegate. Alsike clover is commonly used in a mixture with timothy and is also compatible with brome grasses. Alsike clover is a fastgrowing, shortlived perennial clover, intermediate between white and red clover. Alsike clover seed from outsidepride trifolium hybridum. Clover in vermont hay fields march 2016, university of vermont extension enhancing nectar production with clover innovative methods to utilize alsike and white 20 2015 support for this project was provided by a usda ne sare northeast sustainable agriculture research and education program partnership grant, project one175. Alsike clover is used for hay, pasture, and soil improvement, and is preferred where very wet or acid soils are encountered. Boron deficiency symptoms occurred in plants grown in nutrient lacking. Alsike clover is a short plant, usually growing no taller than 12 feet, if that. A spinner spreader is good for applying low rates and will distribute clover seed up to 30 feet. For conventional plantings, spring and fall seedings will work.
Straw from seed production or late cutting hay makes fair winter feed for sheep, foals and young cattle. In the united states it has been used as a hay and pasture crop on wet soils that are too acid for other legumes. When visited by a bee, the flower acts as does that of red clover. Alsike clover is subject to brown and fusarium root rot, rust, crown and stem rots, seedling blight, sooty blotch. Its only been within the last century that the value of sweet clover for honey production has been recognized. It does no good to grow the highest quality forage on earth if the deer wont eat it. In growth form and flower colour it appearance is somewhere between white and red clover which is how it first got its scientific name hybridum although it is a true species not a hybrid. The big advantage of alsike clover is that it grows well on slightly acidic soils. It is commonly used for hay, pasture, and soil improvement. Withstands heavy grazing pressure, but merits management for success see what forages are safe for animals at tolerant to poorly drained soils. Limitations low production in winter plant description plant. As alsike clover shows a small seed weight between.
The seed in treatments 2 and 3 will be broadcast using a shoulder mounted spinner spreader. In fact, it grows on our farm in the few spots where it stays wet long in the spring. Effect of mixing black medic and alsike clover at different seed densities and proportions on germination rate, biomass production and weed suppression poster pdf available march 2018 with 76. In the united states the principal states that produce alsike clover seed are california, idaho, minnesota, and oregon table 2. Alsike clover shortlived perennial g g p g e l m birdsfoot trefoil 2. Innovative methods to use white and alsike clover in vermont hay fields. The other purpose for which alsike clover is grown is for the production of seed. The seed should be placed in a warm, moist, firm seedbed at a depth of 12 cm. Alsike clover is always seeded with grass, or can be overseeded into grass in the spring. If seeded with red clover, cut when red clover is at full bloom as a cover crop. It can trigger a severe skin reaction to sunlight or it can kill horses within 24.
Coated seeds such as bermuda and clover seeds should not be covered more than an 18 deep. Alsike clover trifolium hybridum alsike clover is a shortlived perennial plant, alsike clover lacks persistence so is treated agriculturally as a biennial. It requires good drainage, but does tolerate more soil moisture and acidity than alfalfa. Spring, 2nd production year 8 spring, 3rd production year 5. Crimsonclover is the standard against which otherannual clovers are compared in arkansas. It will not produce seed if it has access only to its own pollen. High nutritive value and productive late in the season in cool temperate areas just too dry to sustain white clover. Alsike and crimson clovers the organic research centre. For natural reseeding to occur, grazingand hay harvest should be managed to allow someof the clover to mature in late spring for seed production. Alsike clover is an introduced, shortlived, noncreeping perennial with a growth habit similar to red clover. Crop science abstract differential seed production of. Shallow sowing of kura clover is important about, 14 inch. Palmately trifoliolate leaf with serrated leaflet margins without markings.
Alsike clover seeds, inoculated,the best clover for poor. Red clover seed production factsheet interlake forage seeds. Alsike clover is better suited for the northern tier. Alsike clover is resistant to many diseases, such as bacterial wilt, bacterial blight, mildew, and northern anthracnose, which can cause major losses in other forage legumes. Alsike clover is considered one of the best plants for honey bees in north america, especially in cool moist areas like the pacific northwest. This mix will flower throughout the season giving bees and other pollinators plenty of pollen options. These longlasting bacteria are able to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere in the ground for the use of the plants, so alsike clover. Overly saturated or acidic soils will favor alsike clover over red clover as a cover crop. Alsike clover department of plant sciences college of. They can germinate as soon as they ripen, but it is typical of clovers that the hardshelled seeds only sprout the. Unlike other clover species, alsike clover thrives in wet waterlogged soils and is very winter hardy. Alsike clover is also a good crop for green manure, under sown in cereals, greenchop, or for game pastures. This plant is found throughout the united states and canada. Alsike clover is less aggressive than red clover and should therefore be mixed with grasses that arent too aggressive.
Very little relationship was found between early flowering and high seed yield in these two varieties of alsike clover. A field trial will be conducted at two locations to test if. Alsike clover, in either hay or pasture form, is poisonous to horses. The use of clean seed and rotation with nonlegume crops are the most effective to control most diseases of alsike clover. Alsike clover and annual crop production peace region forage. The most modern use of clovers is for the production of specific honeys, such as clover honey. Seed head is similar to white clover but more pinkishwhite. This production is brought to you for free and open access by the ut extension publications at trace. It produces an abundance of pinkish blossoms that bloom from spring to summer. Seed yield red clover yields an average 275 lbsacre and can yield up to 600 lbsacre. It is generally out produced by other clover species for particular uses. Alsike clover s calyxtube is however shorter than e. It is more tolerant of wetter and acid soils than other clovers, and is better suited to low fertility soils than red clover.
Alsike clover trifolium hybridum originally came from europe, where it is common in the high mountain meadows. Alsike clover seeds trifolium hybridum american meadows. Avoid planting alsike clover with tall statured grasses as it is not tolerant of shade. Hytasa differs from most other alsike clovers by having a moder ate level of winter activity. Approximately, an acre of alsike clover produces around 500 pounds of honey. Alsike clover is not frequently used as a cover crop but can be used in situations where soil conditions are not suitable for red clover. Most crop losses of alsike clover can be minimized by management practices that maintain a vigorous stand. Pdf effect of mixing black medic and alsike clover at. Fertilizing alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, red clover.
Harvesting clover can be either swathed or desiccated and straight combined. Similar in many ways to red clover, it matures a week to ten days earlier. Most of the seed production of white clover occurs in california. Small lateral outgrowths nodules are usually present on the root. Grasses minimize the lodging of alsike clover by helping to keep it upright. Forage seedingrate recommendations for hay and pasture in pounds of pure live seed per acre. Specification guide sheet for pasture and hay planting 512 december, 2009 page 1 of 6. Alsike clover is seldom grown by itself as it grows well in mixtures with grasses. It tolerates acid, alkaline, low fertility and poorly drained soils, but not drought. Honey bees and other pollinator species are especially attracted to its white flowers for the nectar and pollen. Short lived perennial adapted to southern canada, northern us states, and higher elevations in the western us.
Producers need to consider that while legume crops can be used for livestock feed or grown for seed production see table 25. When grown from seeds, it does not take long to bloom but it will not produce many tons of hay like red clover. Sep 23, 2004 alsike clover, in either hay or pasture form, is poisonous to horses. Effect of mixing black medic and alsike clover at different seed densities and proportions on germination rate, biomass production and weed suppression poster pdf available.
Most commonly, diploid varieties are grown in western canada, but there are also tetraploid types double the number of chromosomes. They usually reach a height of one or two feet and branch in their upper parts. As the nectar is accessible to the ordinary honey bee, as well as to the bumble bee, the former is of more importance to alsike than to red clover. Clover planted in limed, near neutral, soil will taste sweeter than clover planted in the high 5s or low 6s. The table reflects recommendations from the university of illinois, purdue university, and iowa state university. This introduced plant tends to recline or lodge unless companion plants help hold the stem upright. It is ideal for hay production in areas of high precipitation or. Like other pea family species its rootstock contains rhizobium bacteria.
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