Crops

Trifolium hybridum L. - Alsike.

Taxonomic position.

Family Leguminosae Endl., sect. Lotoiden (L.) D. E. Coombe.

Synonyms.

Swedish Clover or Hybrid Clover.

Biology and morphology.

2n = 16. Perennial short-lived herb. Tap root with many lateral branches. Erect to decumbent growth habit with many hollow branched stems, 50-60 cm, emanating from a basal crown. Leaves trifoliate, leaflets 1 to 3 cm long, 1 to 1.5 cm wide, glabrous, obovate, the margins finely sharp-toothed, without the leaflet markings typical of red clover. Hairless stipules at the base of the peduncles taper to a point. Inflorescences axillary and borne on longer stalks than the leaves. The globular racemes bearing 30-50 florets, 6-l0 mm, bracts absent. Calyx short and petals not fused into a tube as in red clover. Flowers 5 to 10 mm long, white becoming pink and finally brown and reflexed in age. Two to four smooth, heart-shaped seeds, l mm long, in short, broad pods, green to greenish-brown, but darkening almost to black with age. Blossoms - May-September, seed ripening - June-October. Cross-pollinated by honey bees.

Distribution.

Introduced into culture from the end of XVIII century. Cultivated on relatively large squares in the forest and mountain areas at 42 regions and republics of former USSR countries. 14 breeding cultivars have the state permission for utilization.

Ecology.

Adapted to a wide range of environments but grows best in cool rather than warm temperate conditions. Tolerates infertile, wet, acid soils better than red clover but growth responds favourably to improved soil fertility; also reasonably tolerant of alkaline soils. Frost tolerant. Can tolerate considerable periods of drought. Moderately tolerant to periods of flooding. Is not tolerant to waterlogging.

Utilization and economic value.

Suitable species in mixture with a non-competitive grass such as timothy for hay production. Generally regarded as having a similar feeding value to red clover at equivalent stages of growth. Has a high protein content. Highly acceptable forage to livestock either as hay or when grazed at a young, leafy growth stage. Tolerates infertile, wet, acid soils better than red clover but growth responds favourably to improved soil fertility; also reasonably tolerant of alkaline soils. Compatible with non-aggressive grass species such as timothy but not with aggressive grass species such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Compatible with white and red clovers except on highly fertile soils when red clover will become dominant. Bloat can occur in cattle when grazing alsike-rich stands but conventional prevention methods as used for red clover stands can be implemented. Forage mass productivity ranges from 6-12 MT/ha, hay productivity ranges 4,5-6,0 MT/ha and seed productivity is 50-2,50 kg/ha. It is an excellent source of nectar and pollen for honey bees.

Literature:

Catalog of state permitted cultivars of agricultural crops. 1969. - M.: Kolos, 489 pp. (in Russian).
Catalog of state permitted cultivars of agricultural crops. 1971. - M.: Kolos, 488 pp. (in Russian).
Catalog of state permitted cultivars of agricultural crops. 1974. - M.: Kolos, 480 pp. (in Russian).
Catalog of state permitted cultivars of agricultural crops. 1985. - M.: Kolos, Vol 3. - 489 pp. (in Russian).
Catalog of agricultural crops. cultivars permitted in Byelorussia. 1985. - Minsk: Uradjai, 176 pp. (in Russian).
Golovkin B. N. 1988. Cultigenic plant area. - M.: Nauka, 184 pp. (in Russian).
Medvedev P. F., Smetannikova A. I. The forage crops of European part of the USSR. 1981. - L.: Kolos, 336 pp. (in Russian).
Shashko D. N. Agroclimatic region of the USSR. 1967. - M.: Kolos, 335 pp. (in Russian).
Shashko D. N. Agroclimatic resources of the USSR. 1985. - M.: Kolos, 248 pp. (in Russian).
Soil resources of the USSR (Agricultural regions of areas and republics of USSR). 1990. - M.: - Vol 1. - 260 pp. (in Russian).
State register of Ukrainian plant cultivars. 1992. - Kiev: Urojai, 199 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 1994. - M.: - 218 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 1996. - M.: - 171 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 1999. - M.: - 192 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 2000. - M.: - 232 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 2001. - M.: - 252 pp. (in Russian).
State register of breeding achievements permitted for utilization. Plant cultivars. 2003. - M.: - 236 pp. (in Russian).
The Natural-agricultural regions and utilization of soil resources of the USSR. A. N. Kashtanov (ed.). 1983. - M.: Kolos, 336 pp. (in Russian).
The register of plant cultivars in Ukraine. 1996. - Kiev: Urojai, 259 pp. (in Russian).

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Photo Afonin A.N.
 

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