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SWEET CLOVER: Melolptus spp.
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Sweet clover is native to Eurasia and was introduced to North America in the
early 1700's. There are two principle types; yellow sweet clover, M. officinalis, and white sweet clover,
M. alba. Generally, the cultivated
forms of sweet clover are biennial, however, a few annuals (such as "Hubam")
are also cultivated. |
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Sweet clover is adapted to all of eastern Kansas and to areas of western
Kansas with favorable moisture conditions. Seedlings are weak and slow to
establish, but once established, sweet clover is one of the most drought
resistant legumes. |
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In
the seedling year, the biennial sweet clovers produce a plant with a single,
branched stem which obtains 12 to 36 inches of growth. The second years
growth may reach a height in excess of six feet. At the end of the second
season, growth is completed, seed is produced, and the roots and tops die. |
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From midsummer to early fall of the first year, buds are formed on root
crowns. These remain dormant during winter and produce a strong, coarse
growth of stems early the next season. Numerous small flowers are borne on
racemes. Seed pods generally contain one seed. |
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Yellow sweet clover is considered to be better adapted to Kansas than is
white. Yellow is more tolerant to adverse conditions such as drought and
competition from companion crops. It also is slightly finer stemmed and
generally superior to white in forage quality. None of which makes any
difference to the bee-keeper who prizes white sweet clover for the flavor it
imparts to honey. |
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USE AND
MANAGEMENT:
Sweet
clover is used for soil improvement, hay, silage, pasture and the production of
honey. It is tolerant to poor drainage, overflow, and alkali conditions. It
will grow on a wide range of soil types including heavy clays and rocky terrain.
As a
soil improvement crop, sweet clover excels. Its massive tap root is capable of
breaking up plow pans and penetrate and loosen soil to great depths. When
plowed under, sweet clover can provide up to 100 lbs. of nitrogen per acre to
succeeding crops.
Sweet
clover utilization in Kansas as pasture far exceeds its usage as hay or silage.
As pasture, sweet clover produces forage high in protein but lacking in
palatability. Coumarin, an aromatic compound, affects the palatability of sweet
clover until livestock become accustomed to the bitter taste. If livestock are
placed on sweet clover pasture when plants are young and small, acceptance is
relatively good.
During
heating and spoilage of sweet clover hay or silage, coumarin breaks down into a
toxic substance, (dicoumarel), which reduces the blood clotting ability of
animals consuming the forage, death may result.
New
forage growth the second season does not come from the crowns as in alfalfa.
Instead, growth originates from buds on the lower portion of the stem.
Therefore, if cut too low, the second season regrowth will be prevented and the
plants will die.
