Forage legumes are essential in productive Appalachian pastures, and provide atmospheric nitrogen to the sward, thus reducing the need for external inputs. Legumes improve forage nutritive value of available herbage and increase livestock gain potential. White clover, native of the "old world", was introduced to North America by European settlers and is now common in Appalachian pastures. White clover adapted rapidly and flourished wherever environments conducive to its growth and survival occurred.

White clover persists and spreads by seed and by vegetative propagules called stolons. White clover produces abundant seed, some of which is dormant, so that when gaps occur in the sward because of management or environmental stresses, new seedlings can appear. Occasionally, moisture and temperatures are ideal and many white clover seedlings emerge. These "clover years" sometimes lead to "boom or bust" cycles where clover content of pastures can vary widely. However, not every year is ideal for white clover seedling establishment. Unfortunately, white clover seedlings can be relatively short-lived. An important persistence mechanism is the occurrence of stolons, the horizontal stems that enable white clover to explore the canopy for light, water and nutrients. Once established, white clover stolons form roots that can lead to genetically identical, independent sister plants. Vegetative growth is a more reliable way to maintain clover in a stand than through new seedlings.

How can improved germplasm be developed?

Past genetic research on white clover emphasized large-leafed, ladino white clover, which is better suited to hay production than grazing. White clover adapted to the climate, soil and grazing practices in the Appalachian region is needed to sustain optimal pasture productivity. In 1999, white clover was collected from pastures in the central Appalachian region (see map above). The collection was planted at the USDA-NRCS Alderson Plant Materials Center, Alderson, West Virginia where it is evaluated for leaf size and other vegetative characteristics. Populations developed from these collections will be compared with other experimental strains and with commercial cultivars. White clover plants are transplanted into grass swards and, once established, are grazed by sheep. Persistence, vigor, and stolon spread and density are some of the features evaluated. After a minimum of two years under grazed conditions, the best plants are propagated vegetatively, grown in a greenhouse to ensure maximum production of flowers, and inter-pollinated by bees to produce seed. After two to four cycles of selection, the populations will be evaluated for release to producers and plant breeders.

For additional information contact:

Paul W. Voigt 
(pvoigt@afsrc.ars.usda.gov) at (304) 256-2877
or David P. Belesky (david.belesky@ars.usda.gov) at 
(304) 256-2841
or visit our Website at http://www.arserrc.gov/Beckley/

For more facility information by mail or phone:
  
USDA, ARS, NAA, AFSRC
1224 Airport Road
Beaver, WV 25813-9423
304-256-2858

AFSRC Home

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement 
Government Usage Policy
Commercial Endorsement Disclaimer 
Section 508

Text Links to AFSRC 

Beef Systems 
  Grazing Management
     Small Farm Systems
 Soil Management
 AFSRC Directory
 AFSRC Publications

Contact our  Webmanager for comments and suggestions
sboyer@afsrc.ars.usda.gov