1Values within a column followed by the same letter not different at p=0.05.

Kura clover has the reputation of being difficult to establish. The above-ground portion of kura clover seedlings are very slow to develop because much energy is used early for root development. Rapidly growing weeds or grass in existing pastures can be very competitive with developing kura clover seedling and cause stand failures. We have successfully used clipping, grazing, or herbicides for control of weeds or pasture grasses. On an experimental basis we have found that most herbicides compatible with red clover also work with kura clover, however label laws must be followed carefully for commercial applications.

Optimum seeding rates for kura clover are slightly lower than for alfalfa. The year after establishment, forage yield of kura clover sown at 8 or 16 lb/acre was similar at three Wisconsin locations. We have had excellent success with 6 to 8 lb/acre of kura clover seed when sown alone or with grasses. Grasses, except the ryegrasses which are very competitive, can be sown at rates recommended by the extension service for mixtures with legumes. We have had success sowing a small amount of birdsfoot trefoil seed (up to 50%) or red clover seed (up to 10%) with kura clover in order to increase forage yield in the first and second seasons. The birdsfoot trefoil or red clover dies out after a few years and kura fills in.

As with other legumes, kura clover has the capacity to form a symbiotic relationship with bacteria and fix substantial amounts of atmospheric nitrogen into agriculturally useful forms. Kura clover requires a particular strain of rhizobia (different from red clover and alfalfa) for effective nodulation. If the seed is not already inoculated, your seed supplier should be able to provide the rhizobia and instructions on how to apply it. Seed should be planted as soon after inoculation as possible--preferably within hours. Mistakes in handling the inoculant or inoculated seed will surely result in stand failure because the clover will not fix nitrogen and not compete with weeds or other forage plants. Mixtures of nodulated kura clover with grass have yielded the same as grass fertilized with from 150 to 300 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer, depending on grass species.

Kura clover can be grown alone or in mixtures with grass. We have successfully grown it in mixtures with Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass and tall fescue. Thus, the grass of choice should be the grass that a producer feels most comfortable with. Since the quality of kura clover is so high, it is not difficult to develop a grazing or hay harvesting system for kura/grass mixtures that results in fiber concentrations low enough for rations of dairy cows. Growing grass with kura clover reduces the incidence of bloat on pasture, brings fiber concentrations up to levels required by ruminants and facilitates harvest and drying of hay or silage.

Kura clover is the most persistent forage legume commercially available for use in Wisconsin. Conditions for winter-kill of alfalfa and red clover in 1994-95 did not affect kura clover (Table 3). The massive rhizome and root system represents a large underground "bud bank" for regrowth to originate from after damage from wheel traffic, animal treading, freezing or other. We have not observed frost heaving in kura clover and this is also probably associated with the extensive rhizome system. The rhizome is also a storage organ for carbohydrates that are used as a source of energy for regrowth and after defoliation.

Table 3. Production of four forage legumes before and after a "test winter" in 1994-1995. Forages were grown near Arlington, WI and harvested four times per season.

Values within a column followed by the same letter are not different at p=0.05.

No significant disease problems are known for kura clover, however some insects (such as potato leafhopper) that damage other legumes also affect kura clover. We have grown kura clover in mixture with grasses and harvested five times per season to a 1.5 inch height for the last 11 years with no sign of decline. Researchers in Minnesota have grazed kura clover for 12 years and those pastures still have an excellent stand of kura clover. Observations from long-term research in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other parts of the world suggest that, once established, kura clover will be a permanent component of a pasture or hayfield.

The yield potential of a good stand of kura clover is usually about 80 to 90% that of a good stand of alfalfa, based on Wisconsin and Minnesota research (Table 3). The lower yields are related to the large investment that the plant makes to below-ground growth and energy storage, slow regrowth after defoliation, and relatively early onset of dormancy in the autumn. These characteristics that tend to limit yield are also associated with increasing persistence. But because alfalfa, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil usually succumb to diseases or winter-kill after 2 to 5 years, kura clover performance is superior in the long term (Table 3).

Kura clover is affected little by grazing or harvest frequency of from three to nine times per season. Since regrowth originates from at or below the soil surface, defoliation to ground level is not detrimental to the plant and in fact will result in maximum yields. We have observed encroachment of perennial weeds, especially dandelions, in monoculture kura clover defoliated frequently and to short stubble height.

Mixtures of kura clover and grass can be managed to yield forage of similar fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) levels as early flower alfalfa (Table 4). Furthermore, excellent clover persistence results in older stands with similar clover content as younger stands. This is evidence that mixtures have potential to remain stable relative to species composition and forage quality over long periods.

Table 4. Long-term performance of ‘Rhizo’ kura clover monoculture and mixtures with grasses near Arlington, WI. Values presented are means over years one through three and four through six of a long-term trial. Values are averages over three harvest frequencies and two stubble heights.