(1) Red clover has deep and well-developed roots with numerous root nodules, making it an excellent choice for improving soil fertility. After planting, it leaves a significant amount of organic matter in the soil, particularly increasing nitrogen levels by about 10 kg per 667 square meters. This is equivalent to adding 2000-2500 kg of manure. It’s important to implement a short-term rotation system to avoid continuous planting. A break of 5-6 years between plantings is recommended to maintain soil health and productivity.
(2) The seeds of red clover are small, and the plant grows slowly at the beginning, so careful site preparation is essential. The seedbed should be finely tilled and levelled to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Before harvest, shallow ploughing, stubble removal, and regular weeding should be carried out promptly. The best time for sowing in the Yangtze River region is September, as spring and autumn sowings are generally acceptable. Late autumn sowing can lead to weak plants that don’t branch properly, reducing yields the following year. Spring sowing too late may expose the crop to drought and heat stress, as well as weed competition. For spring sowing, use 750-1000 grams of seeds per 667 square meters. If using stored seeds, increase the seeding rate slightly due to lower germination rates. Sow in rows spaced 20-40 cm apart, with narrower spacing for grassy species and wider for legumes. Cover the seeds with 1-2 cm of soil. After sowing, if heavy rain occurs, gently break up the soil crust to help seedlings emerge. Inoculation with Rhizobium bacteria is crucial, especially for land previously planted with clover. According to experiments from Nanjing Agricultural College, when red clover is mixed with ryegrass and inoculated, the total yield per 667 square meters reached 4719.1 kg, with 40% from red clover and 60% from ryegrass. Without fertilization or inoculation, the yield was still 2634.2 kg.
Field management includes applying a base fertilizer, such as compost or 1000-1500 kg of manure per 667 square meters. If chemical fertilizers are used, 20 kg of superphosphate and 10 kg of potassium salt can be applied. In acidic soils, apply nitrogen fertilizer after each cutting. Red clover is relatively resistant to pests, and common diseases like sclerotinia can be managed with similar prevention methods.
Harvesting is typically done during the early to full flowering stage, as red clover grows more slowly than other forage crops. Early spring plantings can be cut 2-3 times, yielding about 2000 kg of fresh forage per 667 square meters. Autumn-sown crops can be harvested 3-5 times the following year, producing over 4000-5000 kg per 667 square meters. Red clover is highly nutritious, second only to alfalfa. Its digestible protein is slightly less than that of quail, but its total digestible nutrients and net energy are higher. The ratio of stems to leaves changes throughout the growing season: initially 1:1, then 1:0.65 at the start of flowering, and 1:0.46 during full bloom. Red clover can be fed fresh, grazed, made into hay, or used as silage, making it a versatile and valuable forage crop.
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