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DeLange Seed
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BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL: Kitus corniculates L. Birdsfoot trefoil grows on many varied soil types, from clay to sandy loams. It will grow on shallow, infertile, acid, or mildly alkaline soils, mined land, and tolerate water logged conditions. However, it is most productive on fertile, moderately well drained soils having a pH of 6.4 or higher. In Kansas, birdsfoot trefoil is limited to the eastern 1/4 of the state. Only the "Empire" type cultivars should be used. Mature plants of birdsfoot trefoil have many well-branched stems arising from a single crown. Under favorable conditions the main stems may obtain a length of 24 to 36 inches. The leaves are compound and alternately attached on opposite sides of the stem. During darkness, the leaflets fold around the petiole and stem. When cut and dried for hay, the leaves wrap around the stems, giving the impression of excessive leaf loss. The inflorescence is an umbel (like a carrot) having four to eight florets. Flower color ranges from light to dark yellow and may be tinged with orange and red stripes. Pollination of flowers is dependent upon insects. Ten to fifteen seeds are borne in long cylindrical pods, which turn brown to almost black at maturity. Three to five pods are attached at right angles to the end of the flower stem and are arranged so that they impart the appearance of a bird's foot. Pods ripen 25 to 30 days after pollination. They split along both sides when mature and twist spirally to scatter the seed. Birdsfoot trefoil possesses a well developed tap root system that penetrates deeply. There are numerous lateral branch roots in the upper 15 inches of soil. Roots have the ability to produce new shoots and roots. The nutritive value of birdsfoot trefoil is equal to or exceeds that of alfalfa. Hay yields are usually 50% to 80% that of alfalfa. USE AND MANAGEMENT: In Kansas, usage of birdsfoot trefoil for pasture far exceeds its utilization as hay or silage. Once established and properly managed, it is very persistent and can increase pasture yield four to five fold. Birdsfoot trefoil blooms intermittently throughout the summer. It often sets seed on low-growing stems, even when closely grazed. This ability to reseed itself greatly enhances its ability to persist year after year. Birdsfoot trefoil pasture can be stockpiled because it retains its high quality leaves on mature growth. Also, birdsfoot trefoil continually produces new shoots from axillary buds as the stems mature. Rotational rather than continuous grazing is preferred. Rotational grazing systems allow long periods of photosynthesis to build root carbohydrate reserves between defoliation periods. Since carbohydrates reserves stored in the roots are relatively low under warm to hot growing conditions, the rest periods provided by rotational grazing are very important in Kansas. When utilized for hay, birdsfoot trefoil can provide two or three crops per year depending upon growing conditions. While pure stands provide excellent quality forage, associated grasses contribute to higher forage yields by filling in vacant areas. Grasses in association with birdsfoot trefoil also reduce lodging, decrease severity of soil heaving, and speed hay harvesting and curing. Non-competitive grass that are of high quality, such as timothy, do not depress the forage yields of birdsfoot trefoil, and generally result in greatest success. |