UWRF University of Wisconsin-River Falls Upper Midwest Forages

Alsike Clover

Scientific name:Trifolium hybridum
Cultivars:
  • Diploid types(common variety mostly used in North America)
  • Tetraploid types (large leaves, flowers, late maturing, and are mostly European)
    • Origin:Sweden; in North america since ~1840
    Growth Habit:Upright
    Life Cycle:Perennial
     
    Use
     
    Production:Hay, pasture, soil improvement
    Nutritive Value:High and palatable; May cause bloat.
     
    Identification
     
    Seed Head:Capitulum or capitate (globose head), white to pink flowers
    Seed:
  • Mitten shaped, 1/4", color ranges from yellow, to tan, to brown or dark/black
  • 680,000 seeds/lb
  • Seed production average is 400-500 lb/acre
  • Inoculate with proper N-fixing bacteria type (if seed is not coated or pre-inoculated).
    • Shoot:Smooth; many tillers from crown
    Leaf:No water marks, leaflets with blunt tip and finely serrated margins
     
    Adaptation
     
    Soil:Prefers silty clay loams
    pH:Wide range 5.5 to 7.5, tolerates more acid pH than red clover and more alkalinity than most clovers
    Moisture:
  • Requires sufficient rainfall or irrigation. Not drought tolerant.
  • Tolerates waterlogged conditions for up to 6 weeks.
    • Temperature:
  • Winter hardy
  • Well adapted to harsh winter climates and high elevation.
    • Other:
  • Not shade tolerant.
    •  
    Establishment - Management
     
    Seeding rate:
  • 2 to 4 lb/acre (alone), 1 to 2 lb/acre (mixes).
  • Expected plants/sq ft: 2 to 3
    • Seed cost:$4/lb; $8 to 16/acre (alone), $4 to 8/acre (mixes)
    Planting date:
  • Early April to mid May
  • late summer seeding possible with irrigation but needs ~6 weeks before frost
    • Planting depth:1/8 to 1/4 inch
    Frost seeding:Establishes well, expect 2 to 3 plants/sq ft
    Fertilization:P and K according to soil test. May require micronutrients.
    Grazing:Rotational grazing recommended. Tolerates close grazing.
    Hay:Harvest when in full bloom. Ripe seed in hay can cause slobbers in horses. Makes good hay in mixes with red clover.
     
    Notes
  • In mixes, grass height should be maintained as to not shade the clover.
  • Can cause photosensitivity and liver damage in horses
  • Needs cross-pollination by bees to produce seed
    •  
    Photos


    Watermark in leaflets never present


    Large stipules present at base of petiole