Dutch White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Description
Due to its high leaf-to-stem ratio, white clover is very palatable. It persists well in pastures that are consistently grazed short and is adapted to a wide range of soil types.
Strengths
Low yields; Tolerates poorly drained soil; very palatable; tolerates close and continuous grazing.
Limitations
Its shallow root system limits production on excessively drained soils and during droughty periods; can cause bloat when grazed.
General
- Longevity
- Short-lived perennial
- Growth Habit
- Stolons
- Primary Growth Seasons
- Spring, fall
- Plant Height (in cm)
- 8 to 25
- Seeds (per lb)
- 800,000
- Seedling Vigor
- Fair - Good
Climate and Soil Tolerances
- Heat/Drought
- Poor - Fair
- Cold
- Poor - Fair
- Wet Soil/Poor Drainage
- Good - Excellent
- Salinity
- Fair
- High pH Alkalinity
- Poor
- Low pH Acidity
- Fair - Good
Fertility Requirements
- Optimum pH
- 6.0 - 7.0
- Required Fertility Levels
- Low - High
Performance Potential
- Feed Value/Quality
- Very High
- Palatability
- Excellent
- Digestibility
- Excellent
- Crude Protein
- High
- Tonnage (Yield)
- Low
- Nitrogen Fixation (lbs/ac/year)
- 75 - 180
Use/Application
- Continuous Grazing
- Excellent
- Rotational Grazing
- Excellent
- Hay
- Fair
- Silage
- Fair
Seeding Rates (HG/HA)
- Pure Stand
- -
- Hay mixture (with legumes)
- 1.1 to 4.5
- Hay mixture (with grasses)
- 1.1 to 4.5