Improved White Clover

Ladino white clover, a mammoth or giant variety, is now widely known. It seems appropriate, however, in a survey of improved varieties to mention its rapid spread in farm use. The results of early, extensive tests on Ladino between 1912 and 1930 indicated that it was well adapted in many irrigated sections of the Western States, but not in the humid Eastern States.

After growers recognized that Ladino needed larger quantities of mineral plant nutrients than were formerly used avid that continued close grazing had to be avoided for best returns, Ladino proved its value in the Northeast. It is now the symbol of large yields of high-quality feed. More recently, experimental and farm trials in several Lake and Corn Belt States, as well as in the upper sections of the Southeast, have indicated that Ladino has much to offer farmers interested in the production of quality feed.

The leaves, flower heads, and stems of Ladino are from three to five times larger than common white clover, but the seed is the same size and indistinguishable. Well-established seedling plants spread rapidly by large fleshy creeping stems.

Mixtures of Ladino with orchard grass, bromegrass, or timothy have given good results. Frequently Ladino is seeded with other legumes, such as red clover and alfalfa. Since Ladino seed is small in size, 2 pounds an acre with a grass is adequate for a good stand. When seeded with other legumes, and a grass, a half pound to the acre has been sufficient. For seed production most farmers plant Ladino alone, using from 3 to 5 pounds of seed per acre. Remember, however, that a compact seedbed with plenty of phosphate and potash fertilizer where needed is essential for good stands and high yields.

Value of Improved Clovers

The value of superior varieties of clovers has been difficult for some farmers to appreciate. The farm scale of measuring yields of clover in terms of loads of hay is too -indefinite. Yields of hybrid corn and improved varieties- of small grains are more accurately measured in bushels per acre from known acreages. The difference in yields between superior clover varieties and common kinds, however, is just as great, or even greater, than differences in yields between superior varieties of corn and small grains over common kinds. Too frequently farmers are price buyers. They purchase the lower-priced common seed instead of paying a few more cents a pound for certified seed of adapted superior varieties. The increase in yield more than pays for the extra seed cost. For example, look at red clover. The usual rate of seeding of red clover is 10 pounds an acre. Certified red clover seed of superior varieties costs 6 cents a pound more than common red clover seed. That means that it would cost 60 cents an acre more to use seed of superior varieties instead of common seed. Superior varieties, however, will produce a half a ton or more hay per acre than common red clover. Is not the investment of 60 cents per acre for an additional half a ton of hay profitable?

Unfortunately, the grower cannot distinguish the seed of these superior varieties from common kinds. Since the seed cannot be differentiated by appearance and since many varieties are grown in one region to produce planting stock for other regions, it is imperative that the seed be certified to insure the distributor and consumer that it is true to name. Producers of certified seed are required by regulation to plant seed of approved parentage, in fields free from volunteer seed and isolated to prevent contamination by cross pollination with common clover. Roguing of weeds and off-type plants may be necessary as the crop develops. Careful harvesting of the seed must be done to prevent contamination. The harvested seed must be cleaned and free from noxious weed seed. It must be of high germination, and marketed in sealed bags. These procedures require inspections by agents of the State Crop Improvement Associations. These regulations and procedures protect the varietal purity at a cost of a few additional cents a pound.

THE AUTHOR

E. A. Hollowell, an agronomist in the Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, is in charge of the Bureau's clover investigations; since 1924 he has carried on research pertaining to the cultural phases of clover production and the development of improved varieties. New superior varieties have been developed and their farm use expanded as a result of Dr. Hollowell's work.