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White Clover SELECTED REFERENCES Ball, D.M., C.S. Hoveland and G.D. Lacefield. 1996. Southern Forages (2nd Ed.) Potash and Phosphate Institute and Foundation for Agronomic Research, Norcross, GA. Gibson, P.D. and W.A. Cope. 1985. White Clover. P. 471-490. IN N.L. Taylor (ed) Clover Science & Technology. 1985. American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of hite clover (Trifolium America, and Soil Science Society of America. N.L. Taylor, Editor. Agronomy Monograph #25, Madison, WI. repens L.) is the world’s Carlson, C.E., P.B. Gibson, and D.D. Baltensperger. 1985. most widely grown White Clover and other perennial clovers. p. 118-129. IN W M.E. Heath, R.F. Barnes, and D.S. Metcalfe. 1985. Forages clover. White clover originated (4th edition) Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA. in the Mediterranean region Lacefield, G.D. and D.M. Ball. 1999. Red Clover Circ. 99-1. and was subsequently spread Oregon Clover Commission, Salem, OR. throughout Europe by wind, Lacefield, G.D., D. Miksch, and C. Absher. 1996. Forage- Related Cattle Disorders. University of Kentucky Coop. Ext. water, birds, and grazing Service Pub. ASC-57. animals. It was cultivated in the Rasnake, M., G.D. Lacefield, J.C. Henning, N.L. Taylor and D.C. Ditsch. 1996. Growing White Clover in Kentucky. University Netherlands in the 1600’s and of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service AGR-93. introduced into England in the ______________________________________________________ 1700’s. Early European Prepared by: Dr. Garry Lacefield and Dr. Don Ball both Extension Forage Agronomists/Professors, University of colonists who had recognized its Kentucky and Auburn University, respectfully. value as a pasture plant brought The authors gratefully acknowledge reviews of this publication provided by: it to America. White clover Dr. Marvin Hall, Pennsylvania State University Dr. Carl Hoveland, University of Georgia evolved in areas characterized Dr. Gary Pederson, Mississippi State University Dr. Monroe Rasnake, University of Kentucky by fertile soils and good soil Dr. Norm Taylor, University of Kentucky Dr. Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin moisture. Its evolution and Mr. Don Wirth, Tangent, Oregon spread was closely associated Dr. Bill Young, Oregon State University with the domestication of grazing animals. Funding for this publication was provided by: OREGON CLOVER COMMISSION P.O. Box 2042, Salem, OR 97308-2402 (503) 370-7019, Fax: (503) 587-8063 E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.oregonclover.com Ball, D.M., and G.D. Lacefield, 2000. White Clover. Circular 00-2. 30M Oregon Clover Commission, Salem, Oregon 7/00 OREGON CLOVER COMMISSION clover, “ladino”, is taller growing and may produce ADAPTATION AND USE DESCRIPTION more forage than intermediate types, but does not persist as well in stressful environments or with grass White clover grows best in humid areas of the White clover is a low growing short-lived competition. Ladino types are most commonly temperate zones during cool, moist seasons. perennial, and in areas where it is well adapted, seeded for pasture in the USA. Optimum growth and persistence occurs on fertile individual plants will often live for 3 to 5 years. In soils with adequate soil moisture availability and more stressful environments such as the lower when competition from other plants is minimized South, it often survives only 1 to 2 years. It is a by grazing or clipping. It is not tolerant of drought leafy plant that often ESTABLISHING THE CROP grows 8 to 12 inches tall or extremes in soil pH. White clover provides high Leaflet quality grazing, is an excellent nitrogen-fixing and that spreads by Getting a good stand of white clover is a first perennial legume, and can play an important role in stolons (above-ground and critical step to success with this high quality, persistent crop. Since white clover is usually soil conservation, soil improvement, and crop runners) and forms Petiole rotations. shallow roots at nodes grown with a cool season perennial grass, it is White clover is most often grown in association (Figure 1). Leaves are usually either seeded at the same time as the grass with cool-season grasses (orchardgrass, Kentucky non-hairy and usually or seeded into an existing grass stand. Regardless bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, brome- marked with a white “V”. of when it is seeded, certain principles and grass, and to a small extent with perennial warm White flowers are practices are important for success. These will be season grasses. White clover supplies nitrogen and clustered into heads. discussed below; however, readers should refer to improves the nutritive value of pastures. It is one of Seeds are extremely small state and local sources for specific recommenda- the most nutritious and palatable of all legumes. with over 700,000 per tions for their area. Although white clover is best suited for grazing, it pound. Together with Stolon Roots SOIL SELECTION: White clover grows best in surviving plants and can be used for haylage, hay, soil improvement, and moist, well-drained, fertile soils. Because of its natural reseeding, a white Figure 1. White clover spreads reclaiming disturbed lands. Yields are lower than shallow root system, it does not grow well on dry clover stand will by creeping stems (stolons) for red clover or alfalfa when harvested for that root at the nodes. soils. The shallow root system also limits produc- sometimes persist hay or haylage. tion during hot, dry summer months. White clover is more widely for many years. adapted within the United States than Three types of white clover, based FERTILITY: The most important investment in a any other clover species. It is a on plant size, are grown in the USA. fertility program is a soil test, which will indicate common component in cool Small white clover, generally referred soil needs with regard to pH, phosphorus, and season perennial grass pastures, to as “wild white” originated in potassium. White clover yields better and stands especially east of the Mississippi England. The “intermediate” types are last longer when grown on soils with a medium river and in humid portions of the larger than wild white clover. Many level of phosphorus and potassium. A pH of Pacific Northwest. Though less unnamed varieties of white clover sold 6.0 - 6.5 is usually recommended for excellent common in warmer and/or drier in the USA are intermediate types and yields and stand persistence. In some states, minor areas, it can be grown or found in are referred to as “common” or “white elements may also be recommended. Refer to state specific sites across the nation. dutch,” white clover. Large leaf white Continued on inside OREGON CLOVER COMMISSION ...ESTABLISHING THE CROP continued strategies may include cultural practices such as mowing PASTURE QUALITY: White clover is high in nutritive to suppress weeds or use of pesticides to control insects. value partly because only leaves and flowers are recommendations for specific elements and rates. Whenever pesticides are used, it is important to read and grazed. White clover is higher in crude protein than Fertilization with nitrogen is not recommended when follow all label instructions. birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, or red clover. It is also quite seeding white clover into grass. Nitrogen will stimulate The goal of establishment is to have rapid germina- palatable and highly digestible. the grass, thus providing more competition for the white tion and emergence, quick ground cover for erosion In a ten-year Virginia study with orchardgrass and clover seedlings during establishment. This becomes control, and ultimately a dense stand of white clover tall fescue, ladino clover or grass mixtures which even more of a problem when seeding white clover into with the desired amount of grass. High yields and high received no nitrogen fertilizer were compared with established grass pastures. Increased grass competition forage quality will not be achieved if a good stand is not grass fertilized with 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre from added nitrogen can result in death of white clover obtained during establishment. The establishment per year. Steers grazing the grass-ladino clover seedlings. In most states, application of nitrogen to principles mentioned will not guarantee success, but will mixtures gained about 17% more than steers grazing established clover/grass mixtures is not recommended if increase the chances of success. the nitrogen-fertilized grasses white clover occupies 20% or more of the ground cover. alone. The grass-clover VARIETIES: White clover varieties with higher yield, mixtures were also greater persistence and better pest resistance have been MANAGEMENT more palatable developed and released by private and public plant than the grasses breeders. Careful selection of the best varieties for a Once established, a white clover/grass stand needs fertilized with given situation can be one of the most important factors to be managed properly in order to obtain high yields, nitrogen. affecting yield, persistence, and potential profit. Several high quality, and adequate stand persistence. Some universities conduct variety tests in replicated, unbiased important considerations are as follows: field studies. Research from university variety trials have shown considerable differences among existing varieties. FERTILITY: Adequate amounts of lime, phosphorus, Even though only a limited number of varieties may be potash and minor elements are needed to produce marketed in an area, careful consideration of the high yields of white clover and to maintain desirable varieties available can pay big dividends relative to yield stands. Nitrogen is supplied by nitrogen-fixing bacteria and persistence. State variety test reports are the best in nodules of properly inoculated white clover. Except source of information on performance of varieties. It is for seed production and in certain geographic loca- important to select high quality seed with a high tions, minor elements are usually supplied in adequate germination percentage and low amounts of weeds and quantities by the soil.
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