UWRF University of Wisconsin-River Falls Upper Midwest Forages

Berseem clover

Scientific name:Trifolium alexandrinum
Cultivars:Frosty (has improved cold tolerance), CW9092, bigbee
Origin:Middle east near Syria and Egypt (Nile delta)
Growth Habit:Upright, 2 to 3 ft tall, fast growing
Life Cycle:Summer annual
 
Use
 
Production:
  • 3,000 to 5,000 lb/acre (1.2 to 2.7 tons DM/acre)
    • Nutritive Value:Non-bloating legume, medium to high crude protein and digestibility
     
    Identification
     
    Seed Head:Flowers are yellowish-white that make a dense clustered heads.
    Seed:
  • 150,000 seeds/lb
  • Inoculate with proper N-fixing bacteria type (if seed is not coated or pre-inoculated).
    • Shoot:Regrowth is from basal shoots
    Leaf:Trifoliate, no petiolule; elongated leaflets
     
    Adaptation
     
    Soil:Loam, clay loam, tolerance to poor drainage and salinity, river bottoms, flat woods
    pH:6.5 to 8.0
    Moisture:Tolerates temporary flooding (4 to 5 days)
    Temperature:Lacks cold tolerance, least winter hardy of all true clovers, will winter kill in WI
    Other:Use inoculant (R type) for berseem and crimson clover
     
    Establishment - Management
     
    Seeding rate:10 to 15 lb/acre (alone); 5 to 10 lb/acre (mixes)
    Seed cost:$2.5/lb; $25 to 40/acre (alone); $12 to 25/acre (mixes)
    Planting date:Jul 15 to Aug 15 (southern WI), or until Aug. 5 (north)
    Planting depth:1/4 to 1/2 inch
    Frost seeding:
  • Frost risk is significant, lacks cold tolerance
  • Soil temperature for germination is 40°F
    • Fertilization:
  • Requires Phosphorus and Boron. Fertilize with 60 to 100 lb P2O5/acre if soil test is below 20 ppm.
    • Grazing:Strip grazing, keep stubble height at 3 to 4 inches. Regrowth is from basal stems.
    Hay:
  • Multiple cut varieties like Frosty allows multiple harvest
  • Can be planted with oats
    •  
    Notes
  • Bee friendly due to no tripping mechanism of flowers (unlike alfalfa)
    •  
    Photos


    Leaflets are elongated


    Low bloat potential