Scientific name
Alsike clover flowers
Trifolium hybridum
Strengths
High nutritive value and productive late in the season in cool temperate areas just too dry to sustain white clover.
Tolerant of poor drainage. Free of oestrogen risks.
Limitations
Low production in winter
Plant description
Plant:
Grows to 30-60 cm. Stems: Indeterminate. Branching hollow. The well developed crown produces many prostrate stems up to 1 m.Leaves: plain, hairless; large leaflets with serrated margins.
Flowers:
Alsike clover
Dense clusters on long stalk; globe shaped to 2.5 cm diameter; pale pink/white, fade to brownPods: numerous seed pods containing 1-3 seeds.
Seeds:
black/olive green/yellow; ~1.5 million/kg
Pasture type and use
A semi-erect biennial or short-lived perennial that can maintain presence through ability to recruit seedlings
Where it grows
Rainfall
> 500 mm
Soils
Suited to a wide range of acidity/alkalinity. Tolerates low fertility and poorly drained soils. Well suited to peaty soil
Temperature
Excellent cold tolerance. Naturally suited to montane environments. Low shade tolerance.
Establishment
Companion species
Grasses:
Phalaris, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, timothy
Legumes:
strawberry, red, sub. and white clovers
Herbs:
plantain
Sowing/planting rates as single species
Alsike clover
3-5 kg/ha; sow at 5-15 mm into a clean, finely worked seed bed and roll
Sowing/planting rates in mixtures
2 kg/ha
Sowing time
When soil temp. >10o C. Autumn, or early spring in long growing seasons
Inoculation
Group B
Fertiliser
Correct any nutrient deficiencies, especially K, P, Mo, S
Management
Maintenance fertliser
For optimum growth Olsen soil P > 15
Grazing/cutting
Very suitable for hay-making and extensive/hill country grazing.
Seed production
Prolific seeder
Ability to spread
Alsike clover
Recruits seedlings well; cattle effectively spread seed via dung
Weed potential
Moderate on disturbed land only. Only reproduces via seed. No innate adaptations for long range dispersal
Major pests
Similar to white clover
Major diseases
Limited information
Herbicide susceptibility
Limited information available.
Animal production
Feeding value
High; nutritive value greater than red clover.
Palatability
Highly palatable
Production potential
Good autumn and spring/early summer vigour
Livestock disorders/toxicity
No oestrogen/toxin problems noted in Australia. Trifoliosis (‘dew poisoning/bighead/photosensitization/ big liver disease’) is attributed to alsike clover poisoning in North America. Light-skinned animals (especially horses) are particularly affected if they are allowed to graze on alsike when it is wet; contains an unknown agent which causes primary and/or secondary (hepatogenous) photosensitization.
Cultivars
| Cultivar |
Seed source/Information |
| Grasslands Polar | Seedmark* |
Author
KFM Reed, July 9th 2008
