Tips For Successful Fall Establishment of White Clover in Existing Pastures

Clover seeding growth must be favored when planted in competitive established grasses like tall fescue or bermudagrass. Excess competition from companion grass is probably the most common reason for clover establishment failures. Remember that during establishment, grass is the enemy! Several management techniques can be implemented to aid clover establishment.

• Clovers are highly responsive to potassium and phosphate, so adequate amounts of these nutrients are critical for establishment, persistence and productivity. Soil should be limed to a minimum pH of 6.0.
• Be sure that no herbicide with residual broadleaf activity has been applied to the field in recent weeks and months prior to seeding. 2,4-D has a short residual activity (2–3 weeks), but dicamba (Banvel or Weedmaster) has a 120 day residual activity and picloram (Grazon P+D) has residual activity as long or longer depending upon application rate and timing.
• Remove excess forage and thatch just prior to seeding. This will prevent shading, improve seed-soil contact, and help clover seedlings survive. Ideally, excess forage should be removed with heavy grazing, but haying is also an acceptable alternative.
• “Chemical frosts” will suppress autumn tall fescue growth and favor clovers at establishment. In many stands of tall fescue, clover can be established without chemical suppression. However, if tall fescue sod is dense, low rate applications of Gramoxone are helpful in suppressing sod to enhance establishment of white clover. Chemical frosts should only be attempted on well established tall fescue. Follow label requirements closely and calibrate the sprayer as tall fescue can be excessively thinned or killed with improper herbicide rates or under environmentally stressful conditions. Banded applications of Gramoxone that treat approximately 40 percent of tall fescue can also be used to help minimize grass injury and allow good clover establishment.
• When establishing white clover in bermudagrass or other perennial warm season grasses, delay planting until after a killing frost to minimize grass competition. Plant clover into closely grazed sod in fall or early winter after warm season grasses are dormant.
• Manage grazing during establishment. It is important to minimize grass shading and allow sunlight to reach the clover seedlings. Flash grazing is a useful tool to remove competing grass with minimal grazing damage to young clover seedlings.
• Consider fertilizer and poultry litter effects on seedlings. Avoid applications of nitrogen fertilizer or poultry litter while clover is establishing as these applications will favor grass growth and increase competition. Light nitrogen applications (30-40 lbs per acre) should only be applied when grass production (1) is desperately needed and (2) can be reliably and effectively removed with grazing to prevent shading of clover seedlings. If nitrogen is added to these stands, pastures must be grazed in a controlled manner to prevent grasses from out competing clover. Conduct grazing in a manner that avoids or minimizes clover injury. If controlled grazing methods are not feasible, do not apply nitrogen during the establishment year.
• Scout for insect damage in early fall. Insects can be a serious pest when planting legumes in the fall. Pygmy crickets can quickly and completely eliminate newly emerged seedlings. Scout fields closely and be ready to apply an appropriate insecticide if necessary. Crickets may be difficult to spot, but their presence will be indicated by small circularshaped bites on clover seedling leaflets. Delaying planting until after a killing frost greatly decreases insect pressure.
• Use drills with seed boxes designed for small seed metering and delivery. If planting with a no-till drill, use the coulters or disc openers to slice existing sod and lightly scratch the soil surface. Use press wheels to establish good seed-soil contact at a shallow depth. Seeding depth should not exceed 1/4-1/2 inch.

Information taken from “White Clover Establishment and Management Guide” UGA Bulletin 1251 - Dr. John Andrae – Crop and Soil Sciences Dept.mce_markermce_marker