Clover – Balady Berseem

Balady for forage is best adapted to growing in zones 5 and lower for spring planting. For fall planting, forage is best adapted to zones 8 or higher, as it does not have good winter hardiness. Berseem clover has oblong leaflets and hollow stems. It grows upright and produces yellowish-white flowers with small round heads. The plant may grow as tall as 18 to 30 inches. It has a small tap root that is 4 to 6 inches long. Berseem clover can be used to boost production on thinning alfalfa stands or as high protein forage, and is a legume that does not cause bloat. It is also an excellent choice for a cover crop due to its vigorous warm season growth and good nitrogen-fixing potential.

Cover Crop Use:
If grown to maturity as a cover crop, it can fix 100-125 lbs/A of nitrogen, providing good fertility to the following crop.

Can also be planted late summer in zones 7a and lower in late summer and will winter kill and provide overwinter mulch residue, leaving the soil ready for an early spring planting. (Similar to spring oats planted in late summer.)

Berseem prefers slightly alkaline loam and silty soils but grows in all soil types except sands. Soil phosphorus can limit berseem clover growth. Fertilize with 60 to 100 lb. P2O5/A if soil tests below 20 ppm. Boron also may limit growth, so test soil to maintain levels. Berseem tolerates saline conditions better than alfalfa and red clover.

Must be inoculated with inoculant suitable for berseem clover and crimson clovers.

Berseem Clover Tech Sheet

Key Features

  • Fast growing annual legume
  • Tolerates wet ground
  • Can work as a winter annual in zones 8a and above
  • Not good for over-wintering in northern states– least winter-hardy annual clover
  • Not resistant to root-knot nema-tode
  • Shallow taproot
  • Little or no risk bloat

Best Uses

Grazing, Haylage/baleage & Cover Crop. Can mix with alfalfa or small grains.

Establishment

  • Seeding Rate:
    • 8-12lbs/Acre drilled
    • 15-20lbs/Acre broadcasted
    • 3-6lbs/Acre in mixes
  • Depth: 1/8”– 3/8”
  • Date: Plant after soils are 50 degrees and rising.