Interseeding berseem clover in winter wheat

Abstract

AbstractInterseeding annual clovers in cereal grains may help organic producers reduce use of tillage following cereal harvest. Using clovers that winterkill would minimize need for tillage in the spring also. The objective of this study was to evaluate seedling emergence and survival of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Berseem clover (hereafter, referred to as berseem) was planted 0, 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of winter wheat growth in the spring. Berseem density was highest when planted on April 12, 2 weeks after winter wheat broke dormancy. Establishment density was 40–80% less with the other planting dates. A dry interval during the 5 weeks preceding winter wheat harvest reduced seedling survival of berseem, killing more than 80% of seedlings. Winter wheat yield was reduced at the last planting date of berseem, which was attributed to mechanical injury to winter wheat by the drill when planting berseem. Berseem may not be viable for interseeding at this location or in drier regions. Clover species that are more drought tolerant will be needed.