Cultivation

Red clover as a green manure

Trifolium pratense L.

Red clover is a perennial legume green manure characterized by a high nitrogen-fixing capacity and deep soil loosening by a robust taproot system.

In the reference 4 varieties crop Red clover, where this is mentioned in the description.

Red clover is distinguished by its ability to accumulate significant volumes of nitrogen, surpassing many other legume crops in this indicator. Unlike annual green manures, it has a perennial growth cycle, during which the soil-improving effect is realized over a long period, typically starting from two years of use.

The plant's robust taproot system penetrates to a significant depth, providing effective soil loosening, aeration, and erosion prevention, while also facilitating the conversion of poorly soluble phosphorus compounds into accessible forms. Clover has a dual-purpose application, allowing the combination of forage production with the maintenance of soil humus balance.

The crop is moisture-loving and adapted to the conditions of northern regions and temperate latitudes; however, it is sensitive to stagnant water and severe drying. When using clover as a green manure, one should consider the potential phytotoxicity of plant residues, which may affect the germination rate of subsequent crops.

General information about the subject — on the page Green manures.

Sources8

Varieties of Red clover mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.