Persian clover
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Two distinct types of Persian clovers are available:
Pasture type and use | Hard-seeded type: Self-regenerating pasture legume for use in short-term and long-term pasture mixes.
Soft-seeded type: Annual fodder/forage and legume break crop. A component of high-density legume crops (HDL crops). |
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Area of adaptation | Medium–high rainfall (winter-dominant) and irrigated areas. Soft-seeded types more suited to higher rainfall and irrigation situations than hard-seeded types. |
Min. average annual rainfall | 450 mm (southern NSW) to 650 mm (northern NSW) |
Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Soil requirements | Most soil types; best suited to clay soils. Not suited to acid sandy soils (suited to pH(Ca) 5–8). |
Varieties | Select varieties on the basis of required use pattern (pasture vs high-density legume crop), maturity, hard-seed levels, seasonal production and disease resistance (Phytophthora root rot, rust, and clover scorch).
1. Trifolium resupinatum var. resupinatum
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. 2. Trifolium resupinatum var. majus
* Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder’s Rights. |
Sowing rates: | |
-as only species | 4–8 kg/ha; use higher rates with irrigation. |
-in mixtures | 1–8 kg/ha; use lower rates (e.g. 1–3 kg/ha) with hard-seeded type. |
Sowing time | Irrigated: February to May. Dryland: April to mid May. |
Companion species | With hard-seeded types: lucerne, sub clover, arrowleaf clover, and perennial and annual temperate grasses.
With soft-seeded types: other forage legumes, including berseem, arrowleaf and balansa clovers, and short-term ryegrasses and oats. |
Inoculation | Group O |
Major nutrient deficiencies | Phosphorus, sulfur |
Main insect pests | Redlegged earth mite, lucerne flea. |
Main diseases | Rust, clover scorch, Phytophthora root rot. |
Management | Grazing winter to spring and/or make hay/silage in spring. Graze plant residues of hard-seeded type in late summer to promote better seedling regeneration. |
Livestock disorders of particular note | Photosensitisation sometimes; bloat in cattle; urinary calculi (clover stones) incidence may increase in sheep; red gut in sheep occasionally. |
Additional tips | Persian is sensitive to some herbicides commonly used on legumes (consult your agronomist). |
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: Warren McDonald, Former Technical Specialist (Pastures), NSW Agriculture, Tamworth.