General Description

Italian ryegrass is a short-lived, highly tillered, cool season biennial bunchgrass. It is usually grown as an annual forage or a quickly establishing, green ground cover. There are two types of ryegrasses: Italian and Westerwold, both with diploid and tetraploid varieties. Ryegrasses cross-pollinate freely and it is difficult to maintain genetic purity. Often, they form a mixture of perennial and annual species. 

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Italian ryegrass originates from northern Italy. Westerwold ryegrass was developed in the Netherlands from Italian ryegrass, and can set seed in the year of sowing.

Longevity

Will only live 1 to 2 years.

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Throughout the season and a good option for extending grazing into late fall and early winter where adapted.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Highly palatable and highly digestible. Fall regrowth showed crude protein 17 to 23% (dependent on sampling time and variety, at Melfort, 1992).

Drought Tolerance

Low drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Good tolerance to excess moisture and short periods of flooding.

Winter Hardiness

Low, winter severity determines whether plants survive for a second year.

Soil Texture Preference

Grows best on fertile, well-drained soils but is adapted to a wide range of soil types and textures.

Erosion Control

Can provide quick cover for short-term erosion control, and while perennials are establishing.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance, will tolerate pH as low as 5.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance will tolerate pH up to 7.9.

Seeds per kg

501,000 seeds/kg (227,250 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Italian ryegrasses can be seeded in mixtures, although it should be seeded at a lower rate to allow establishment of slower to establish perennials.

Ease of Establishment

Italian ryegrasses are easy to establish. Seed in mid- to late May or if concerned about weed pressure, delay seeding until mid- June. Responds well to fertilizer applications (especially N and P). If broadcasting N, apply before seeding or after plant is at the 2- to 3-leaf stage. Functions very well as a nurse crop while establishing other slower growing forage crops.

Competitiveness

Highly competitive in the year of seeding.

Management Considerations

Lack of winter hardiness suggests on planning for use as an annual crop except in areas where winters are typically mild.

General Description

Tall fescue is a deep-rooted, perennial bunchgrass. Although it is considered a cool season grass and is adapted to cool and humid climates, tall fescue can tolerate more heat than other cool season grasses. It has an extensive coarse, dense root system and short rhizomes. Longevity is extremely variable and dependent on variety. It is similar to meadow fescue but is distinguished by having wider, less glossy leaves. 

Tall fescue has stems that grow to a height of over 100 cm (39 in). They are smooth, semi-erect, and fairly thick. Leaves (12 mm wide) are mostly basal, with blades that are flat, dark green and hairless. The leaves are shiny & waxy and resist drought somewhat; also making tall fescue a bit more challenging to cure for hay. Seed heads develop with 3 to 10 flowers per spikelet. Tall fescue is cross-pollinated and the seed shatters easily.

Endophytes are a fungus that can live within tall fescue plants improving the plant. However, endophytes can produce a toxin (ergovaline) harmful to livestock and wildlife. The toxin restricts blood flow, which often shows as lameness and then sloughing of feet (‘fescue foot’) or the loss of extremities such as the tip of the tail and/or eat. Further, endophytes can lead to reproductive issues, including abortions. The turf-type varieties most often carry the fungus in the seed/plants, which then pass it on to the seed it produces. Forage-type varieties with low-endophyte levels are best utilized for livestock production. Feed should be tested when in doubt.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Central Europe, North Africa. Hardier varieties developed in North America.

Longevity

At least 5 years. Persistence is dependent on variety.

Use

Pasture, hay, sailage, stockpiled. Forage varieties with noted winter hardiness should be used. Turf-type varieties are grown for seed production but are not suitable for high forage yield and quality.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay tall fescue by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Tall fescue can be continually or rotationally grazed. Leave at least 10 cm (4 in) for substantial regrowth to occur. Basal leaf growth develops from new tillers throughout the season. Begins growing a little later than other grass- manage accordingly. Good for summer grazing or stockpiling for fall and early winter grazing as it maintains quality well after fall frosts and stands erect through light snowfall.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Good palatability in vegetative stages. Tall fescue has an average total digestible nutrient (TDN) level of 59% and crude protein of 9-12% mid-summer. Endophytes in turf varieties can be a problem for livestock. Purchase endophyte-free seed and test forages from non-endophyte free stands.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Recovers quickly.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding and tolerates wet or waterlogged soil often spring through fall.

Winter Hardiness

Fair to good tolerance depending on the variety. Select varieties noted for hardiness. Winter is highly dependent on variety, snow cover conditions, drought, and breaks in dormancy.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils. Sub-irrigated sites may also be suitable. 

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Good tolerance to salinity makes it a good choice for irrigated saline pasture land.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Tolerates soil pHs as low as 4.7 but yields better on slightly acidic to neutral soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

454,000 seeds/kg (206,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

Strong seedling vigour helps tall fescue establish relatively easily, especially if competition and soil fertility are managed.

Competitiveness

Once established, tall fescue is competitive. Potentially invasive depending on location and variety. In some habitats in the northern US tall fescue, especially those varieties with endophytes, are considered invasive and persistent.

Management Considerations

General Description

Perennial ryegrass is a short-lived, perennial, cool season bunchgrass. Perennial ryegrass is best suited to areas with cool summers of reasonable moisture without summer drought, and mild winters. It is grown mainly as an annual in western Canada, but as a perennial in southern BC. It is closely related to Italian ryegrass, but is smaller, has folded rather than rolled leaves, and lacks awns.

Perennial ryegrass produces a shallow, fibrous root system, with the majority of roots in the upper 15 cm (6 in.) of soil. It tillers freely and produces a dense sod. Perennial ryegrass produces a dense cover of low-growing leaves, and stems that are up to 60 cm (24 in.) long with a slender spike up to 30 cm (12 in.) long. Leaves are dark green, narrow, hairless, keel-shaped, and folded when young. Lower surface is glossy and smooth, while upper surface is veined and duller coloured. 

There are diploid and tetraploid genetic types (double chromosome types often associated with more vigorous growth but less hardiness) with a tremendous variation in seed size both between and within genetic types. Turf-type perennial ryegrass is not suited for forage use because they are low growing and low yielding- choose a forage-type perennial ryegrass. Crosses between perennial ryegrass and fescues exist.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe. It is sometimes called English ryegrass.

Longevity

Less than 5 years. Annual in most of western Canada. Short lived in southern British Columbia.

Use

Pasture, hay. Perennial ryegrass grows quickly so it is well suited for use in pastures, usually under short-term intensively managed grazing and fertilized, irrigated pastures. Can be hayed but tends to be low growing and slow to dry.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall. Perennial ryegrass can be used 2+ months after seeding. Perennial ryegrass produces high quality forage but requires good fertility.

Recovery After Use

Recovery can occur within 30-45 days. Perennial ryegrass can be frequently grazed close to the ground and is adapted for either continuous or rotational grazing systems. Perennial ryegrass requires high fertilizer inputs.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Very palatable as perennial ryegrass can be one of the highest quality forage grasses for grazing. Precautions need to be taken to test forage for endophytes and a toxin called lolitrem B, especially if feeding perennial grass seed straws from varieties favoured by the turf industry.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 600mm. USDA indicates it withstands up to 65 inches/ year.

Drought Tolerance

Poor tolerance. Perennial ryegrass is very intolerant of drought or high temperatures.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. Moisture is critical for perennial ryegrass success.

Winter Hardiness

Poor hardiness. Usually grown as an annual because lacks winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Loamy to clay soils. Moisture must not be limited. 

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control. Perennial ryegrass is used often in turf and conservation mixes because of its quick green growth and ground cover, early in the year of establishment.

Salinity Tolerance

Slight tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Perennial ryegrass produces and thrives best on neutral soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

530,000 seeds/kg (240,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Often seeded in a pure stand. Compatible with alfalfa and clovers. Perennial ryegrass may be included in an erosion mix to provide quick cover in the year of establishment.

Ease of Establishment

Perennial ryegrass is easy to establish. It germinates quickly and can be vigorous enough to graze two months after emergence.

Competitiveness

High competitiveness as it produces a dense growth. Low invasiveness.

Management Considerations

If the goal is a longer term stand of perennial ryegrass it will need to be reseeded often (or patch seeded), it requires high fertility, and moisture must not be limited – irrigation is beneficial. Read seed mix labels carefully to understand if and when perennial ryegrass is included in the mix. Select a variety of the forage-type with a low amount of endophyte.

General Description

Orchardgrass is a very productive, highly palatable, perennial bunchgrass. Root systems are extensive and fibrous with a distinctive bunch growth. Crowns increase in size over time through tiller production.

Seed heads are up to 20 cm (8 in) long with clustered spikelets. Seeds are small but light, awned and chaffy. Orchardgrass is widespread in fields, meadows, and roadsides in regions with high annual rainfall.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe, Africa, and Asia. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 5 years. Persistence of orchardgrass is very dependent on the ecosystem and variety.

Use

Pasture, hay. Can be grazed in a rotational or continuous grazing system. Orchardgrass is also commonly used for seeding of roadsides, log landings, skid trails, and forested sites. Orchardgrass is fine-leaved and does not stand up to late fall/ winter stockpiled grazing.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Can be grazed in the late spring once plants reach 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) in height, and repeatedly through mid-autumn. It can be grazed later in the fall, but should be left to accumulate reserves in late summer and early fall. Orchargrass should be cut for hay at early heading. 

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Orchard grass is one of the most palatable tame grasses. Crude protein ranges from 13 to 15% and digestibility is approximately 67% when in vegetative stage. Quality drops off quickly when it forms seed heads. Livestock do very well on orchardgrass and seek it out in mixed stands.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Orchardgrass is more drought tolerant than timothy, but not as much as bromegrasses. However, once a dry period ends, it can recover quickly.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. Does best with high annual rainfall.

Winter Hardiness

Fair to good hardiness. Winter hardiness is dependent on snow cover conditions, carryover stubble height, and variety improvements. Orchardgrass winter hardiness has been good in the Peace River Region even with little snow cover. Carry over stubble height should be should be at least 20 cm (8 in) in colder regions. In most regions, select an orchardgrass variety noted for hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Orchard grass is suited to loamy to clay soils with a high water holding capacity, and does well in areas with high precipitation.

Erosion Control

No erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

No salinity tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Tolerates soil pH levels as low as 5.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

942,000 seeds/kg (427,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

Orchardgrass grows as vigorous seedlings that establish quickly, are shade tolerant, and will tolerate a companion or nurse crop. Spring growth thereafter is slower than other grasses. Orchardgrass seed viability declines rapidly in storage.

Competitiveness

Management Considerations

Orchardgrass responds well to nitrogen fertilizer and is most productive overall with rotational grazing. Orchardgrass must go into the winter with enough residue to store carbohydrates in the stem to survive. Leaving standing residue over winter can help increase snow cover which is important to insulate the crowns. Select varieties with noted winter hardiness.

General Description

Kentucky bluegrass is a widely adapted, long-lived, persistent, low-growing perennial grass. Its roots are shallow, fibrous and concentrated near the soil surface. It eventually forms a very firm sod from the spread of slender rhizomes. Characteristics of the rhizomes vary with variety. There are numerous other bluegrass species found within western Canada.

Kentucky bluegrass produces fine stems up to 75 cm (30 in) long. The leaves are basal, soft, and smooth. At the bud stage, leaf blades are folded, flat, or V-shaped, and have a boat-shaped tip. Leaf blades when flattened out are 2 to 5 mm (1/16 to 1/5 in) wide. Seed heads form on bluish-coloured triangular-shaped panicles about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) long. 

Type

Tame grass & native grass.

Origin

Kentucky bluegrass was introduced to North America from Europe, where it was known as “smooth meadow grass”. It became known as the “white man’s foot grass” to the First Nations, because it followed settlement as it moved west. Many people consider it a native species in some soil zones.

Longevity

At least 20 years.

Use

Pasture, reclamation.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, fall. Kentucky bluegrass can be grazed continually or rotationally. Lower production in summer does not lend to optimal use in summer. Snow cover will restrict winter grazing although quality can hold.

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum of 30 days of recovery after use. Highly resistant to grazing. Under moist conditions, recovery and regrowth after grazing are quick. Grazing Kentucky bluegrass to a height of 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) helps maintain its forage quality.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

In the vegetative stage, Kentucky bluegrass is noted to have 10 to 12% protein and a TDN of about 67%. While dry in the summer palatability is lessened, but fall usage can see good palatability and nutritional quality.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

350mm / 1100mm

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Kentucky bluegrass goes dormant with no growth during periods of dryness or drought.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands up to 2 to 5 weeks of spring flooding and waterlogged soils. Kentucky bluegrass is highly moisture dependant.

Winter Hardiness

Excellent hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers well-drained, fertile, moist soils. Because of its need for moisture, Kentucky bluegrass often grows better on clay, silty, or peat soils, but can adapt to moist sandy soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to control erosion. Forms a rhizomatous mat once established.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

4,800,000 seeds/kg (2,177,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Can be compatible with legumes such as birdsfoot trefoil, alsike clover, and white clover.

Ease of Establishment

Kentucky bluegrass easily germinates and can begin to establish, but requires good moisture to help the fine seedlings root. Rhizomes begin growing the year after establishment.

Competitiveness

Highly competitive. It is considered a minor upland invasive in the E-Flora Invasive, Noxious and Problem Plants of British Columbia 2012 Update. Its competitiveness means that it can invade pastures and native range, especially when closely grazed. It can persist in the lower part of the plant community and increases as taller species decline.

Management Considerations

Select variety based on performance traits that are desired, such as yield. Kentucky bluegrass has a high demand for moisture, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Most commonly used for turf grass in Canada. Once established, it can be difficult to remove from a stand, however that may be area dependant.

General Description

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Native to Europe and North America. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 20 years.

Use

Pasture, stockpiled, reclamation.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Creeping red fescue can be continually or rotationally grazed. It remains palatable and nutritious year-round. Snow cover may restrict stockpiled grazing in some areas as it is low growing Leave at least 5 cm (2 in) for regrowth to occur. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 30-45 days of recovery after use. This time is highly variable depending on the moisture conditions. Recovery is usually good as growing points are often below grazing level, especially if not continuously grazed. Forage trials indicate that rest after a mid-July grazing on creeping red fescue should allow for adequate growth for stockpiled use. Manage creeping red fescue with adequate rest to decrease Kentucky bluegrass invasions.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Creeping red fescue is palatable and holds its quality year round. It has average total digestible nutrients of 61% and 12% crude protein in the vegetative state. Creeping red fescue is not only palatable in the fall but also over winter, into the spring. When stockpiled, this species has adequate nutrition for a dry pregnant cow.

Drought Tolerance

Fair to moderate drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2 to 5 weeks of spring flooding or waterlogged soils.

Winter Hardiness

Excellent hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Erosion Control

High erosion control. A good species for controlling erosion and often used for revegetation of waterways and canals since it forms a thick, soil-binding sod, but does not impede water movement.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

826,000 seeds/kg (375,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

Seedlings are vigorous, and creeping red fescue is relatively easy to establish.

Competitiveness

Creeping red fescue is competitive in moist areas. Low invasiveness. As it is shade tolerant, it can remain productive with taller forage species.

Management Considerations

Use appropriate stocking rates and allow rest following grazing. Kentucky bluegrass can invade and overtake creeping red fescue stands if management is not considered. Creeping red fescue may increase in abundance if seeded with other less competitive species in a pasture mix.

General Description

White clover requires adequate growing season moisture and moderate summer temperatures. White clover is widely distributed, especially in cool temperate climates. The plant has stolons or creeping stems near the soil surface. Leaves, flowers, and roots grow directly from these stolons. It is a relatively short plant with indeterminate growth, although taller types can grow up to 25 cm (10 in).

There are three types of white clover which vary mostly in height and persistence. The small type is commonly found in lawn mixes, or naturalized in disturbed or heavily grazed moist areas. It is highly persistent. The large type, often called Ladino, is larger (four-times) than the small type. With its low persistence it is rarely used, but can be seeded for short term hayland especially under irrigation. The intermediate type, also called common or Dutch, yields well,  is a prolific seed producer, and is often used in for pasture in high moisture regions. 

White clover has 3 leaflets attached at a single point, and are dark green, often with a white watermark. Leaflets are finely toothed, hairless, and nearly round, up to 3 cm (1 1/4 in) wide. Plants are only as high as the length of the flower and leaf stocks, which varies by type from ground level 25 cm (10 in). Seedling plants develop a taproot initially and then as plants age they develop threadlike, fibrous roots growing from detached stolons. White clover can cause bloat.

Type

Agronomic legume.

Origin

Mediterranean origins. Brought to North America by settlers.

Longevity

At least 10 years. Stolon survival and self-seeding (seed set) is critical for persistence.

Use

Intermediate types used for pasture. Small types tend to increase in continually grazed pastures.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Late spring, once the plant has reached full height and leaf canopy it is safe to begin use. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 30-45 days of recovery after use. Tolerates frequent grazing and can be grazed repeatedly throughout the season to 5 cm (2 inch) height. Intermediate and large types benefit from rotational grazing. Low growing points make small type white clover well adapted to use in continuous, closely grazed systems. Only graze lightly in the last six weeks of the growing season for improved winter survival.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability, highly digestible. White clover crude protein is approximately 19.5-21% and total digestible nutrients is around 65%. Quality is maintained throughout the growing season as new leaves are grown. Can cause bloat. Sheep may select for white clover increasing their risk for bloat.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 1770mm

Drought Tolerance

Poor tolerance. White clover is unproductive even in short duration drought. It easily dies from long or extreme drought. Small types tend to be more drought tolerant.

Flooding Tolerance

Tolerates 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. High moisture is desired over the growing season, but flooding or water logging is not tolerated.

Winter Hardiness

Poor to fair hardiness. Growing points are in the stolons which are at or on the soil surface so very susceptible to winter kill. Maintaining soil fertility and restricting grazing to light or no grazing in the last six weeks of the growing season improves winter survivability. Intermediate and small types have some winter hardiness while large types are the least winter hardy.

Soil Texture Preference

White clover prefers fertile clay and loam textured soil. White clover may grow on coarser sandier soils if moisture is adequate.

Erosion Control

Not well suited. White clover may be included in some erosion control mixtures as a nitrogen fixer for grasses or as a plant for higher moisture areas. 

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. White clover can grow in pH 5.0, but prefers 6.0 to 6.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

1,764,000seeds/kg (800,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

White clover mixes well with most cool season perennial grasses, particularly bunch grasses that can tolerate frequent grazing allowing for an open canopy; meadow bromegrass, orchard grass, tall fescue. Has also been grown with Russian wildrye and timothy. White clover can compete with sod forming grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, and smooth bromegrass when moisture and fertility are not limiting and frequent defoliation keeps the canopy open.

Ease of Establishment

White clover should be seeded shallow (6 mm / 0.25 in). Although seedlings are small and slow to develop, they can establish easily if fertility and moisture conditions are favourable. Competition from grasses and cover crops should be minimized. Stand will thicken as stolons develop.

Competitiveness

Small volunteer types can invade continuously grazed pastures, especially under moist conditions. Healthy stolons are critical for competitiveness. Shading of white clover decreases its competitiveness.

Management Considerations

It is important to monitor livestock for bloat while grazing white clover. Inoculate white clover with Rhizobium trifolii for better nodulation and nitrogen fixing. Grows best on fertile, moist soils without shading from other plants. Stolon survival is critical for persistence so maintaining adequate fertility is important. Although white clover can tolerate a shorter rest period than most other legumes in a grazing system, grazing should be light enough not to damage stolons. Restrict or reduce grazing in the last six weeks of the growing season to restore stolon health and provide a canopy to help insulate stolons for winter. White clover can be grazed after a killing frost, however, reducing the canopy increases the risk of winter kill.

General Description

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

South-eastern Europe (Caucasus Mountain region).

Longevity

At least 10 years. While it is a lesser used species in Canada, known stands have persisted thus far.

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Kura clover is a versatile species. Time grazing to begin once the full canopy develops. Once established, kura clover is very tolerant of close, frequent grazing and high animal traffic (advantage of rhizomes). Maximum yields can be obtained with rotational grazing. Winter use is possible due to deep crowns, rhizomes, and average leaf retention.  

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Kura clover is very palatable. Due to a very low fibre content is at least of similar bloat risk as alfalfa or may be greater. It is noted to increase the palatability of a mixed stand. In stands seeded in a Saskatchewan research project they indicated that the crude protein concentrations of pure stands of kura clover were highly variable, ranging from 10.9 to 21.2 %, even though all were all samples were similar in maturity. NDF concentrations were also variable, ranging from 20.9% to 37.9% at cut 1 and 22.5% to 33.6% at cut 2. ADF ranged from 15.8% to 20.5% at cut 1 and 17.3 to 23.5 at cut 2; these are very low values relative to other legumes” (indicating high digestibility of kura clover).

Drought Tolerance

Good tolerance. Kura clover is slow to show effect but will become dormant under drought conditions, drawing on its extensive root system to initiate growth once adequate moisture is available.

Flooding Tolerance

Kura clover withstands 1-2 weeks of spring flooding, but excess soil moisture is not tolerated. It persists better than white and red clover on poorly drained soils but not as well as alsike clover, and is superior to alfalfa in areas with high water tables.

Winter Hardiness

Good to excellent winter hardiness. Low growing points, deep tap root and rhizomes contribute to winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Adapted to moist sandy-loam through clay soils. Prefers non-calcareous, clay and clay-loam soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to control erosion. Spreads by rhizomes once established. 

Salinity Tolerance

Not saline tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance. Does best at pH between 6.0-7.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Unknown.

Seeds per kg

552,000 seeds/kg (250,000 seeds/lb) though is known to vary greatly- ranging from 346,000 to 821,000 seeds/kg.

Suggested Mixtures

Mixes well with grasses that have limited root competition like Kentucky bluegrass (short roots), or timothy. Stands with more competitive grasses like meadow bromegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass have also been successful when managed to reduce root competition in the establishment year. Seeding rates for these grasses should be reduced by half, and delayed 4-8 weeks after the clover is seeded. Once kura clover is established it is very competitive and can be managed for long term persistence.

Ease of Establishment

Competitiveness

Once established, kura clover is very competitive and will be an increaser in pastures with the right management and site conditions. Rhizomes allow for plants to fill in bare ground. Frequent defoliations with 4-6 weeks of recovery can be used to help manipulate percentage of kura clover in grass mixtures. Kura clover will be very competitive against Kentucky bluegrass or creeping red fescue in mixtures and will have to be managed to prevent overtaking them.

Management Considerations

Kura clover is a promising high producing legume species for the black and grey soil zones. Research plots have been seeded in the brown soil zone with success. Sourcing Kura clover seed has proven difficult in the past due to its characteristic of low seed production. Kura clover is noted for its rapid, leafy petiole top growth with a high protein: low fiber content so has a similar or greater bloat risk as alfalfa. Kura clover requires a specific innoculant (Rhizobia spp.) different from other legumes.