Yield and Quality of Subterranean and White Clover - Bermudagrass and Tall Fescue Associations

Abstract

Overseeding perennial grass pastures with clovers (Trifolium spp.) can extend the grazing season and improve the quality of available forage. Our objective was to compare forage yield and quality of an annual and perennial clover overseeded on perennial grasses differing in seasonal productivity patterns. Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue (Festuca amndinacea Schreb.), and a mixture of the two were established on a Catalpa silty clay soil (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Fluvaquentic Hapludoll) and oversown in the fall with annual ‘Mt. Barker’ subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.) and perennial ‘Regal’ white clover (T. repens L.). White clover was oversown in succeeding years to maintain uniform stands, while subterranean clover was permitted to self-seed. Grass and clover dry matter (DM) yield, in vitro digestible DM (IVDDM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration of total forage were measured at each harvest in each of 3 yr. Overseeding the three grass swards with subterranean clover vs. white clover resulted in greater yield of total forage (3470 vs. 2670 lb DM/acre) and clover (1600 vs. 1080 lb DM/acre). Total forage yield was increased from 2460 to 3880 lb DM/acre and clover yield from 1050 to 1700 lb DM/acre when either clover was oversown on bermudagrass vs. tall fescue. Clover oversown on a mixture of the two grasses did not provide a consistent yield advantage (total forage or clover) over either grass in monoculture. Forage nutrient concentration and intake potential were positively related to clover yield and negatively related to grass yield. We conclude that overseeding bermudagrass rather than tall fescue with clovers will improve distribution and annual yield of superior-quality forage because interspecific competition is minimized during the spring as a result of the seasonal productivity pattern of bermudagrass.