White clover
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Pasture type and use | Perennial pasture legume with main growth in spring / summer / autumn. Irrigated or dryland. Grazing, pasture hay, ground cover for horticulture. |
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Area of adaptation | Coast, tablelands and slopes. Irrigated areas central and south inland. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 750 mm with summer incidence. |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Grows on a wide range of soil types provided fertility (phosphorus and sulfur) is medium to high, and soil has good water-holding capacity (drier areas). Medium to well drained. Tolerant of soil acidity where pH(Ca) > 4.5. Soil aluminium less than 20% of CEC. In marginal environments, prefers slopes with southerly aspect. |
Varieties | Select on the basis of plant habit and seasonal production.
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights.
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Sowing rates: | |
- as only species | 4.0–5.0 kg high-density winter forage (coast). |
- in mixtures | 0.5–3.0 kg/ha |
Sowing time | Autumn, early winter: Dryland (all districts). Spring: Irrigation and higher-rainfall tableland districts. |
Companion species | Compatible with many temperate and subtropical grasses.
In temperate and tableland areas: perennial ryegrass, phalaris, cocksfoot and tall fescue.
On the South Coast and western irrigated areas: perennial ryegrass and Italian ryegrass, paspalum and kikuyu. Central and North Coast: kikuyu, paspalum, setaria, Rhodes grass, perennial ryegrass and Italian ryegrass. |
Inoculation | Group B |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Phosphorus, sulfur, molybdenum, potassium. |
Main insect pests | Redlegged earth mite, blue oat mite, bluegreen aphid, cutworms. |
Main diseases | Rugose leaf curl, mosaic, rust, root rot caused by several fungal pathogens.
Nematodes: Root knot nematode (North Coast). |
Management | Can tolerate close grazing. Management should aim to maintain a 70% grass 30% clover balance. Pasture should be kept less than 15 cm in height to allow light to penetrate for clover. Vigorous grass growth may outcompete clover. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Bloat in cattle; urinary calculi (clover stones) incidence may increase in sheep; occasionally red gut in sheep. |
Additional tips | When topdressing fertiliser (phosphorus and sulfur), add low rates of seed. Avoid close grazing in dry summer conditions. |
Further information |
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Advice on livestock health disorders was provided by Dr Chris Bourke, Principal Research Scientist, NSW Agriculture, Orange. His contribution is gratefully acknowledged.
Photo: Mary-Anne Lattimore, NSW Agriculture, Yanco