Influence of Maturity on Digestibility and Nutrient Accumulation of Amclo Clover Foliage

Abstract

Cultivars of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) are becoming important interseeded components of the pasture ecosystem in the humid southeast. This research was conducted to determine the seasonal change in digestibility and mineral composition of "Amclo" arrowleaf clover at various stages of crop development. Three previously unclipped plots of Amclo clover were clipped per week from mid-March until mid-May during 1965 and 1966 to determine the influence of stand maturity on foliar in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and nutrient accumulation. Percent IVDMD generally decreased over the 1965 harvest period from 70% to 48%. However, over the same period in 1966 percent IVDMD increased from 48% in mid-March to a maximum of 72% in mid-April and gradually declined to 48% in mid-May. Foliar potassium (K) appeared to be the only element to change over the experimental period. Foliar K content increased until the middle of the vegetative stage of growth. This increase was followed by a gradual decline in foliar K content through the mature stage of crop development.