CLOVER

CLOVER

Leguminosae

The plant is mostly annual or biennial and in some cases it is pluriannual; its height is normally around 30cm.

Like many other leguminosae, the clover contains symbiotic bacteria in its roots that can fix atmospheric nitrogen; it is therefore used in crop rotation to improve soil fertility. Many species of clover are remarkably rich in protein and they are grown as forage for livestock.

Products:

Types

EGYPTIAN CLOVER

(Trifolium alexandrinum)

This is an annual legume, not very resistant to the cold but resistant enough to drought. It prefers warm temperate climates with very mild winters, rich, loose and moist soil.

It adapts well to clay soil that is of medium texture and light as long as as it is not acidic (between pH6 and 8). It is generally used in its pure form but it can also be combined with other species.

Suitable for grazing, green fodder and hay.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Upright – Tall, medium height – Ability to regrow
Climate Adaptability	Tropical, Subtropical – Mediterranean – Warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Hot, humid
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Heavy, clay soil – Calcareous
Areas of Cultivation	North and South: Plains
Use	Hay
Seeding Dose	20-30 Kg/Ha

MIRIAM Variety

WHITE CLOVER

(Trifolium bianco repens)

This is a perennial and spontaneous plant with creeping stems on the ground and nodes on its roots. In its tiny form, it has small or medium-sized leaves and it is an excellent plant to use for pasture in temperate and humid climates.
It tolerates the winter cold but not high temperatures or water scarcity.
It prefers fresh soil with a good water supply (because of its shallow root system). It adapts well to both acidic and alkaline soil (between pH5 and 8).
Excellent resistance to trampling which means good resistance to pasture.
Its creeping tendency limits the spread of weeds ensuring excellent-quality forage.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Perennial – Stoloniferous – Low stature – Ability to regrow and combine with other plants
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Cool temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold, damp
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Heavy, clay soil – Calcareous – Damp – Acidic
Areas of Cultivation	North: Mountains and plains; South: Mountains and plains
Use	Pasture – Anti-erosion
Seeding Dose	25-30 Kg/Ha

ALSIKE CLOVER

(Trifolium hybridum)

This is a perennial legume with a taproot system. Its cultivation lasts 2-3 years, it prefers cold climates, during which it replaces the red clover and adapts to many soil types, preferring compact and very moist types.

It is a forage plant that can adapt both to cutting and pasture.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Biennial – Climbing tendency
Climate Adaptability	Warm, cool and temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold and damp
Soil Adaptability	Heavy, clay soil – Calcareous – Superficial, humid – Alkaline
Areas of Cultivation	North: Mountains and plains
Use	Haymaking or pasture
Seeding Dose	30-35 Kg/Ha

CRIMSON CLOVER

(Trifolium Incarnatum)

Caespitose plant with a taproot system and twisted stalk that can reach a height of 80cm. Depending on climatic conditions, it is sown from summer to autumn and even in winter. It resists cold well, but in northern regions and areas with clay soil, it may be severely damaged by frost eradication, especially if sown late.

Crimson clover is an interesting plant for loose, dry soil which is deficient in limestone, where vetch and pea typically perform rather poorly.

Green fodder does not cause bloat.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Upright – Tall – Ability to combine with other plants
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Hot – humid and dry
Soil Adaptability	Heavy, clay soil – Light, sandy
Areas of Cultivation	North: plains – South: mountains and plains
Use	Pasture, hay, silage
Seeding Dose	30-35 Kg/Ha

GIANT CLOVER

(Trifolium repens varo giganteum)

Special ecotype, picked in the Po Valley, also known as Ladino.

It is suitable for temperate humid climates and prefers loose, light soil, which contains sufficient limestone, not necessarily deep as long as it is irrigated.
White clover is the most adaptable of clovers and because of this, it is very important for improving pastures or planting grazing meadows. Its place in the crop rotation cycle is between wheat and rice.
The white clover’s mowable forage consists exclusively of leaves and inflorescences with their stems: it is therefore very watery, but also very easy to digest.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Perennial – Stoloniferous – Medium height – Ability to regrow and combine with other plants
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold, damp
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Heavy, calcareous clay – Superficial, damp – Acidic
Areas of Cultivation	North: plains
Use	Pasture and hay
Seeding Dose	20-30 Kg/Ha

RED CLOVER

(Trifolium pratense)

Pluriannual legume, it adapts well to cool temperate climates because it is resistant to the cold, while sufficient soil moisture is required in dry temperate climates.
It is used for monophyte lawns (lasting 2 economic years) but also mixed with poaceae and other leguminous forage crops.
It is used for producing hay, pasture or silage.
Excellent forage quality.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Biennial – Upright – Tall, medium height – Ability to regrow and combine with other plants
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Warm and cool temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold, hot and humid
Soil Adaptability	Loose, sandy – Heavy, clay – Calcareous
Areas of Cultivation	North: Mountains and plains
Use	Pasture – Hay – Silage
Seeding Dose	25-35 Kg/Ha

SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER

(Trifolium subterraneum)

This annual leguminous plant has stems that form a dense bed of vegetation that matures the seed in the soil or underneath the base of the plant (hence its name).

It is suitable for warm temperate climates with damp and moderately cold winters.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Prostrate – Low stature – Used in combinations
Climate Adaptability	Tropical and subtropical – Mediterranean – Warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Hot – humid – dry
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Calcareous
Areas of Cultivation	North: plains – South: mountains and plains
Use	Pasture – Anti-erosion
Seeding Dose	8-10 Kg/Ha – Self-reseeding

SQUARROSE CLOVER

(Trifolium squarrosum)

Annual, upright, tall, with a thin taproot and many branches.
This plant belongs to the autumn-spring cycle, adequately resistant to the cold as it can tolerate temperatures of -10°C at its rosette stage.
High in nutritional value but it contains less fat than Egyptian and Crimson Clovers.
Also excellent for hay.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Ability to combine with other plants
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean, warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold, warm, humid
Soil Adaptability	Medium texture, heavy, clay calcareous
Areas of Cultivation	South: mountains and plains
Use	Green hay or silage
Seeding Dose	30-40 Kg/Ha

The clover is not very resistant to extremely low temperatures and it prefers clay soil; however, it adapts to all types of soil, as long as it is not waterlogged.

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