Red clover has deep and well-developed roots with numerous root nodules, which significantly contribute to soil fertility. After planting, it leaves a substantial amount of organic matter in the soil, especially increasing nitrogen levels by approximately 10 kilograms per 667 square meters. This is equivalent to adding 2,000–2,500 kilograms of manure. To maintain soil health, red clover should be rotated in short cycles, avoiding continuous planting. A gap of 5–6 years between plantings is recommended to prevent nutrient depletion and reduce disease risk.
The seeds of red clover are small, and the plant grows slowly during its early stages, so proper site preparation is essential. The seedbed must be finely tilled, with soil clods broken down thoroughly. Before harvest, shallow plowing, stubble removal, and weeding should be done promptly. In the Yangtze River region, spring and autumn sowing are both viable, but the best time is September. Late autumn sowing may result in weak plants that fail to branch properly, affecting the next year’s yield. Similarly, late spring sowing can lead to drought stress, heat damage, and weed competition.
For spring sowing, use 750–1,000 grams of seed per 667 square meters. If using stored seeds, increase the seeding rate due to lower germination rates. Red clover is best sown using a drill, with spacing of 20–40 cm. Narrow-row varieties should be harvested more frequently, while wide-row types allow for better growth. Cover the seeds with 1–2 cm of soil. After sowing, if heavy rain occurs, break up any crusted soil to help seedlings emerge.
Inoculation with Rhizobium bacteria is crucial for nitrogen fixation. Land previously planted with trifolium should be inoculated before sowing. According to experiments from Nanjing Agricultural College, when red clover was mixed with ryegrass and inoculated, the total yield reached 4,719.1 kg per 667 square meters (with 40% red clover and 60% ryegrass). Without fertilization or inoculation, the yield was still 2,634.2 kg.
Field management involves applying a base fertilizer, such as compost at 1,000–1,500 kg per 667 square meters. If chemical fertilizers are used, apply 20 kg of superphosphate and 10 kg of potassium salt. Acidic soils should receive nitrogen fertilizer after each cutting. Red clover is generally resistant to pests, and common diseases like Sclerotinia can be managed through similar preventive measures.
Harvesting is typically done from the early flowering stage to full bloom. Early spring plantings can be cut 2–3 times, yielding about 2,000 kg of fresh grass per 667 square meters. Autumn-planted red clover, which continues into the following year, can be harvested 3–5 times, producing 4,000–5,000 kg or more. Its nutritional value is high, second only to alfalfa. While its digestible protein is slightly lower than that of quail, its total digestible nutrients and net energy are higher.
Red clover is commonly fed fresh, grazed, made into hay, or used as silage. During early flowering, the ratio of stems to leaves is about 1:1, decreasing to 1:0.65 at the beginning of flowering and 1:0.46 during full bloom. This makes it an excellent feed source for livestock due to its balanced composition and high nutrient content.
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