Forage Yields of Five Perennial Grasses with and without White Clover at Four Nitrogen Rates

Abstract

One of the current interests in cattle production research is the inclusion of a legume which might be expected to increase forage yields and reduce the need of N fertilization. The clover should lengthen the growing season over that of straight grass. An investigation measured the influence of white clover on grass forage yields where perennial grass species were grown at four N rates with and without white clover (Trifolium repens L.). White clover/perennial grass mixtures were superior to grass/N, and including clover significantly increased forage yields at N rates up to 112 kg/ha. Only when 336 kg N/ha was applied were average yields of clover/grass and grass/N comparable. The average increase in forage yields when clover was added to the perennial grasses at the 0, 37, 112, and 336 kg/ha N rates was 218.9%, 93.0%, 34.1%, and 0.2%, respectively. Clover production was concentrated in the first 7 months of the season and dropped sharply in August and September. Average clover/grass yields were consistently higher over the 4 years than were grass/N yields. White clover should be included in grass mixtures grown in Southern pastures to reduce the need for N fertilization.