Description
Purpose & Fit
Balansa clover serves as an alternative to white and subterranean clovers in poor soil drainage and drought conditions with an excellent ability to suppress weeds. Reported to outproduce subterranean clover by 900% in saline/waterlogged areas, balansa clover will not cause bloat in grazing systems. Balansa clover is suitable for hay, silage, or green manure. A great alternative to white and subterranean clovers in poor soil drainage or drought conditions, balansa clover can produce more biomass at lower temperatures than most other clovers.
Growth Pattern
Balansa forms a 3-foot taproot with numerous offshoots that extend 30 – 35 inches deep. Balansa clover can reach up to 3 feet in height as well, and stems can reach more than 12 feet Balansa has a cylindrical flower head that is 1 – 2 ½ inches long with small white-pink florets. Leaves can have smooth or serrated edges and are hairless.
Interseeding
Not Recommended
Did You Know?
Seeds/Lb: 500,000
Balansa Clover
Trifolium michelianum Savi
Description
Purpose & Fit
Balansa clover serves as an alternative to white and subterranean clovers in poor soil drainage and drought conditions with an excellent ability to suppress weeds. Reported to outproduce subterranean clover by 900% in saline/waterlogged areas, balansa clover will not cause bloat in grazing systems. Balansa clover is suitable for hay, silage, or green manure. A great alternative to white and subterranean clovers in poor soil drainage or drought conditions, balansa clover can produce more biomass at lower temperatures than most other clovers.
Growth Pattern
Balansa forms a 3-foot taproot with numerous offshoots that extend 30 – 35 inches deep. Balansa clover can reach up to 3 feet in height as well, and stems can reach more than 12 feet. Balansa has a cylindrical flower head that is 1 – 2 ½ inches long with small white-pink florets. Leaves can have smooth or serrated edges and are hairless.
Interseeding
Not Recommended
Did You Know?
Seeds/Lb: 500,000
Adaptation
Climate & Soil
With greater tolerance than crimson clover, balansa clover can also exhibit heat tolerance up to a maximum of 79°F – 82°F. The average annual rainfall should reach at least 12 inches. Balansa clover will grow on soils ranging from clay soils to sandy soils, with tolerance for water-logged soils and flooding. Salinity tolerance is between 3 – 5 dS/m.
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.6
Optimum Growth Range: 45°F – 75°F
Adaptation
Climate & Soil
With greater cold tolerance than crimson clover, balansa clover can also exhibit heat tolerance up to a maximum of 79°F – 82°F. The average annual rainfall should reach at least 12 inches. Balansa clover will grow on soils ranging from clay soils to sandy soils, with tolerance for water-logged soils and flooding. Salinity tolerance is between 3 – 5 dS/m.
Soil pH: 5.0 – 8.6
Optimum Growth Range: 45°F – 75°F
Establishment
Planting
Winter active with peak growth in mid-spring, balansa clover can be broadcast with fertilizer in low rainfall areas with little competition. Weed control will be necessary when grown as a monoculture.
Seeding Depth: ¼” – ½”
Germination
Min Time To Emergence: 5 – 20 days
Ideal Temp: 65°F – 70°F
Seeding Rate
Monoculture: 5 – 8 Lb/A
Establishment
Planting
Winter active with peak growth in mid-spring, balansa clover can be broadcast with fertilizer in low rainfall areas with little competition. Weed control will be necessary when grown as a monoculture.
Seeding Depth: ¼” – ½”
Germination
Min Time To Emergence: 5 – 20 days
Ideal Temp: 65°F – 70°F
Seeding Rate
Monoculture: 5 – 8 Lb/A
Management
Grazing
Rotationally graze balansa clover instead of continually stocking, but discontinue grazing during the flowering stage to avoid stand damage and extend the length of the stand. Heavy, close grazing is possible and will often increase tillering. Balansa clover typically does not cause bloat.
Earliest Time To Graze: 14 days – 21 days (light grazing during the first year)
Fertilizer Requirements
At Planting: 15 lb/A N – 25 lb/A N
During Grazing Season: Not Applicable
Hay or Silage?
Timing: Early Bud Stage
Cuttings During Season: 1 – 2
Recovery
Minimum Graze Height: 2 ½”
Rest Period: 14+ days
Mixes
Grown best as a monoculture, Balansa Clover is not competitive and should not be sown with competitive plants. Balansa clover can still perform well with non-competitive plants such as perennial grasses and plantain. It is a useful addition to orchardgrass-sub clover pastures to add total legume content.
Yields
Tons of Dry Matter/A: 2.7 – 3
Management
Grazing
Rotationally graze balansa clover instead of continually stocking, but discontinue grazing during the flowering stage to avoid stand damage and extend the length of the stand. Heavy, close grazing is possible and will often increase tillering. Balansa clover typically does not cause bloat.
Earliest Time To Graze: 14 days – 21 days (light grazing during the first year)
Fertilizer Requirements
At Planting: 15 Lb/A N – 25 Lb/A N
During Grazing Season: Not Applicable
Hay or Silage?
Timing: Early Bud Stage
Cuttings During Season: 1 – 2
Recovery
Minimum Graze Height: 2 ½”
Rest Period: 14+ days
Mixes
Grown best as a monoculture, Balansa Clover is not competitive and should not be sown with competitive plants. Balansa clover can still perform well with non-competitive plants such as perennial grasses and plantain. It is a useful addition to orchardgrass-sub clover pastures to add total legume content.
Yields
Tons of Dry Matter/A: 2.7 – 3
Pests & Considerations
Permanent Pasture
A large amount of hard seed makes balansa clover well suited for reseeding itself in a long term pasture.
Competitiveness
Balansa Clover has an excellent ability to suppress weeds and compete with cool-season annual grasses once established.
Risks
Balansa Clover is a very low bloat risk. If animals are not pulled off of Balansa Clover during the flowering stage, not enough seed will be produced to maintain adequate stands.
Diseases
- Root Rot
- Pythium
Pests
- Redlegged Earth Mite
- Lucerne Flea
- Aphids
Pests & Considerations
Permanent Pasture
A large amount of hard seed makes balansa clover well suited for reseeding itself in a long term pasture.
Competitiveness
Balansa Clover has an excellent ability to suppress weeds and compete with cool-season annual grasses once established.
Risks
Balansa Clover is a very low bloat risk. If animals are not pulled off of Balansa Clover during the flowering stage, not enough seed will be produced to maintain adequate stands.
Diseases
- Root Rot
- Pythium
Pests
- Redlegged Earth Mite
- Lucerne Flea
- Aphids