AGR-93 C O O P E R A T I V E E X T E N S I O N S E R V I C E U N I V E R S I T Y O F K E N T U C K Y • C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U L T U R E Growing White Clover in Kentucky M. Rasnake, G.D. Lacefield, J.C. Henning, N.L. Taylor and D.C. Ditsch

hite clover (Trifolium repens L.), usually more expensive and have not Trifoliate Leaf Wa low growing perennial with been proven to be any better than white flowers, differs from most clo- single varieties. For best results, plant vers in that the stems (stolons) grow only certified varieties of white clover. along the surface of the soil and can form adventitious roots at each node Petiole Soil Selection (Figure 1). The adventitious roots White clover grows best in moist, help the plants spread and develop fertile, well drained soils. However, it new plants, and the low growing will grow on most soils used for pas- habit helps the plants survive in graz- ture in Kentucky. Because of its shal- ing situations because only the leaves low root system it will not do well on and flowers are eaten. some of the drier soils in some years. White clover probably originated in The shallow roots also limit produc- the eastern Mediterranean region or in tion during summer. Ladino does well western Asia. It was grown in En- on somewhat poorly drained soils, gland in the early 1700s and was in- Stolon but it may need to be reseeded more troduced into North America by early Roots often than on better sites. colonists. Once established in North America, the small, hard seeds, which Figure 1. White clover spreads by Fertility could quickly pass intact through creeping stems (stolons) that root at the nodes. One leaf per node grows from The two most important soil fertil- grazing animals’ digestive systems, the stolon. ity factors in growing white clover are were spread over a wide range. White pH and phosphorus. Soils should be clover can be found growing from the limed to a target pH of 6.4 for seeding Arctic Circle to temperate regions. gumes because grazing animals only white clover. For late winter or spring Volunteer stands often occur after sec- eat the leaves and flowers. Although seedings, perform soil tests in the fall ond-growth timber is cleared. white clover is best suited for grazing, and apply lime at this time, if needed. Three types of white clover grow it can be used for silage, hay, soil im- Applying lime in the fall will give it in Kentucky. Small white clover, gen- provement, and reclaiming disturbed time to dissolve and increase the pH erally called white “Dutch,” originated land. When harvested as silage or before the clover is seeded. Phospho- in Holland. The intermediate white hay, yields will be low compared to rus and potassium could also be ap- clovers are larger than white Dutch. red clover. plied in the fall. Soil test levels of Most unnamed varieties of white clo- these nutrients should be maintained ver sold in the U.S. are of the inter- Varieties at medium or higher for good white mediate type and are often called A limited number of white clover clover growth. “common” white clover. Large white varieties are available for sale in Ken- Nitrogen should not be applied on clover, or Ladino, is much larger and tucky. Certified Regal Ladino seed is white clover. White clover is able to produces three to five times as much usually available and is a good choice “fix” nitrogen from the air with the growth as white Dutch clover. for most situations. Common “white help of bacteria that live in nodules White clover is one of the most im- Dutch” seed may also be available, on the plant roots. Fertilizer nitrogen portant pasture legumes in Kentucky. but is usually less productive than La- reduces nitrogen fixation and in- It is almost always grown with grasses dino varieties. Mixtures of white clo- creases competition from grass and to supply nitrogen and improve the vers (primarily Ladino-varieties) are weeds. This becomes even more of a feed value of pastures. It is one of the being packaged and promoted for problem when seeding white clover most nutritious and palatable of all le- wildlife plantings. These mixtures are into grass pastures. Increased grass

A G R I C U L T U R E • H O M E E C O N O M I C S • 4-H • D E V E L O P M E N T competition from added nitrogen can One of the most important factors in Feed Quality cause failure of white clover seedings. successful establishment of white clo- White clover is high in feed value ver with any of these methods is con- partly because only leaves and flow- Sowing the Crop trolling competition from the grass af- ers are grazed. White clover is higher If a tilled seedbed is to be used, ter seeding. The best way to do this is in crude protein than birdsfoot trefoil, disk or plow the land at least a week by grazing the pasture until the clover alfalfa, or red clover. It is also very before sowing. Make sure the seed- is two to three inches tall and then re- palatable and highly digestible. bed is well pulverized and the surface moving the animals for three weeks In a Virginia study with is smooth and firm. The seed can be or more. If grazing is not possible, the orchardgrass and tall fescue, Ladino broadcast on the surface and covered grass can be kept short by mowing. clover was compared with nitrogen using a cultipacker. Drills can be fertilizer over a ten-year period. Steers used, but do not place the seed more Management grazing the grass-Ladino clover mix- than one-fourth inch deep. As a “rule White/Ladino clover tolerates graz- tures gained about 17% more than of thumb” you should be able to see ing very well; however, continuous steers grazing the grasses alone fertil- some seed on the surface after seed- grazing can deplete a stand. By subdi- ized with 200 pounds of nitrogen per ing white clover. viding pastures into three or more acre per year. The grass-clover mix- White clover is rarely sown alone. paddocks, rotational grazing increases tures were also more palatable than In Kentucky, a cool season grass such stand life and improves utilization of the grasses fertilized with nitrogen. as tall fescue or bluegrass is normally the forage. In periods of excess pro- used with it. Ladino clover is sug- duction, some paddocks can be left Diseases and Insect Pests gested for seeding with tall fescue. ungrazed and cut for hay, although White clovers are susceptible to Use ten pounds of fescue per acre yields may be low compared to red stolon and root rots, both of which with one to two pounds of inoculated clover. Short rest periods of two to can seriously deplete stands. These Ladino clover seed. Spring seeding three weeks allow the clover to re- diseases are more likely to be a prob- (February 1 to April 15) is best for the new its vigor. Rotational grazing also lem on less well drained sites. Toler- clover, but late summer (August 1 - makes it easier to mow for weed con- ance to these diseases can be in- September 10) is better for the trol or spread manure piles. creased by selecting clover varieties grasses. A good compromise may be White clover is a short-lived peren- that are adapted to the area where to sow grasses in late summer and nial, and thus some effort is required they are to be grown. Good manage- then sow clover in late winter or early to maintain it in pastures. Ladino does ment practices that help maintain the spring. not reseed itself as well as common vigor of the plant also help increase Renovation is probably the most or white Dutch types of white clover. resistance to these diseases and other common method of establishing white Therefore, it may be necessary to sow stresses. clover in Kentucky. In this method, some seed of the Ladino type periodi- Potato leafhopper feeding on white the grasses such as bluegrass or tall cally to maintain good stands. clover causes stunting and a redden- fescue are already established and Cattle may bloat on white clover ing-bronzing and browning of the they are “renovated” by seeding white pastures under certain conditions. leaves. Spittle bugs can stunt plants clover or other legumes (see AGR-26, However, the problem can be mini- and cause a rosetting of the terminal “Renovating Hay and Pasture Fields”). mized by proper management (see growth. Insects are not likely to cause Basically, the grasses are grazed or ASC-57, “Forage Related Cattle Disor- enough damage to white clover in mowed very short and white clover is ders”). Bloat is more likely to be a Kentucky to warrant the use of insec- seeded in late February or March. problem when: ticides. Several methods of seeding will work: 1. Clovers make up 50% or more of 1. A light disking of the grass sod can the pasture forage be used and the seed sown as de- 2. Cattle are first placed on clover pas- scribed for a tilled seedbed. tures when they are very hungry 2. Seed can be broadcast on the soil 3. The pasture is lush and lots of for- surface in February or early March; age is available freezing & thawing will cover the 4. The forage is wet from dew or rain. seed. Special precautions should be taken 3. A no-till drill can be used to place during these times. the seed in the soil.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, C. Oran Little, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Issued 7-82; Revised/Printed 2-96, 2000 copies; 12000 copies to date.