Berseem Clover Trifolium Alexandrinum

Berseem's value as a legume crop has been known for centuries. It grows fast and produces large amounts of forage and nitrogen.

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The past and the present.

Also called Egyptian clover, referencing its origin, Berseem clover has been a very important annual legume crop in the Nile Delta for thousands of years. Interest in Berseem in North America continues to grow for many uses, including: cover cropping, non-bloating forage production, green manure, and honey production.

Likes to stay warm.

Like all good things, berseem has its limits. A main one is cold temperatures. It dies when temperatures fall below 20°F for multiple days. Being a winter-susceptible annual in the North, berseem is used as a summer and fall annual, and as a winter annual in southern climates. Berseem wakes up after soil temperatures hit the mid 40°’s, but really starts to grow at 65°F and warmer. It is susceptible to frost kill in spring plantings. Berseem has a shallow taproot making it susceptible to droughty conditions. Berseem does better on non-sandy soils and prefers more alkaline soils to acidic soils. It can tolerate a bit of wet ground.

Useful as a cover crop and with other grains.

Berseem is especially useful as a natural-kill cover crop and works very well with companion grain crops like oats, grasses, and alfalfa. It is also great for giving quick browse for wildlife.

Good eating.

Berseem's fast growth converts into significant forage biomass and nitrogen. It has the ability to produce up to eight tons of dry matter (under irrigation).

Nitrogen producer.

Berseem can fix 200 pounds or more of nitrogen per acre. In California, an average of 280 lbs of N/ac was reported under a six-year trial. For optimal performance, berseem clover should be inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii. This is best achieved with Nitro-Coat®.

Coated berseem clover

Berseem Clover Specifications

Planting
Zones
8 and 9
Longevity
Annual
Ease of Establishment
Excellent
Seeds/lb
200,000
Seeding Rate - Straight
10-15 lbs/ac
Seeding Rate - Mix
8-12 lbs/ac
Seeding Time
September - October
Seeding Depth
1/4 - 3/8"
Seeding Method
Broadcast or drilled (preferred)
Method of Killing/Suppression
Mowing; grazing; chemical
Optimal Germination Temperature
Night temperatures > 50°F
Seedling Emergence/Vigor
Good
Reseeding Potential
Fair
Root Type
Tap
Usage
Grazing Potential
Good
Hay Potential
Excellent
Use with Wildlife
Excellent
Use in Orchards
Good
Use with Row Crops
Good
Use with Other Grasses/Legumes
Good
Bees/Beneficial Insects
Good
Compaction Control
Good
Erosion Control
Good
Weed Suppression Potential
Good
Green Manure/Cover Crop Use
Excellent
Spreading Capability
Fair
N Contribution Potential
Excellent
DM Potential
Excellent
Forage Quality
Good
Harvest Time Frame (late/early/year-round)
Early
Number of Harvest/yr
Up to 3 harvests
Other Comments
Poor winter hardiness therefore not recommended north of zone 8.
Tolerance
Bloat Risk
Rare
Disease Resistance
Poor
Insect/Nematode Risk
High
Cold Tolerance
Poor
Traffic Tolerance
Fair
Heat Tolerance
Excellent
Drought Tolerance
Good
Shade Tolerance
Good
Dry Soil Tolerance
Good
Wet Soil Tolerance
Good
pH Range
Best on loam soils with pH > 6.5
Required Fertility (P,K, other nutrients)
Requires high fertility (more like Alfalfa) including the addition of Boron.