Alsike Clover

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Alsike Clover

• Trifolium Hybridium

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Origin

• Cultivated in Sweden as early as 1750
• Came to North America in about 1834
• Important legume in the clover-timothy areas
• Gets its name from Alsike Parish of Sweden

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Description

• Stems and leaves are smooth
• Short lived perennial, often used as biennial
• The pink or white heads are smaller then red
  clover heads
• Blooms throughout the year
• Root system penetrates deeply into the subsoil
• Roots survive the frost to grow a new plant the
  following spring

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Adaptation

• Cool season crop in low-lying moist areas
• Can withstand soils which are waterlogged
• Can stand spring floods up to six weeks
• Also suited well for acidic, organic soils
• Seeded very shallow, most tolerant of cold and
  frost
• Damage from insects and diseases are very
  uncommon

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Limitations

• Intolerant of drought and high temperatures
• Salinity tolerance is low
• Shade tolerance is poor and will not make it
• Less useful for mixtures

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Uses

• Used for hay in moister areas of Montana
• It yields very well----- 1.5 tons/acre
• One cutting can be harvested for hay each season
• Bloat can be prevented if only 1/2 stand

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Cost and pounds/acre

• 60 pounds/bu.
• Seeding rate is 6-10lbs./acre
• 680,000 seeds/pound
• 1.95/lb.
• 59.50/50lb. bag