SEED PRODUCTION OF CRIMSON CLOVER IN NORTHEAST TEXAS

G. W. Evers

Texas A & M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center

P. 0. Box 200, Overton, Texas USA 75684-0200

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is grown in the southeastern US for grazing but seed production is in western Oregon because of more favorable climatic conditions.  Available crimson clover cultivars have not been evaluated for a combination of grazing and seed production in the southeastern US.  Seven cultivars of crimson clover were overseeded on common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] in the autumn of 1993 and 1996 in northeast Texas.  The trial was grazed until about April 1. At seed maturity 1 m of row was hand harvested from each plot.  Flower number and seed weight were recorded and seed weight per flower calculated.  Seed yields averaged only 13.9 g M^-2 in 1994 because of poor moisture conditions during April compared to 71.7 g M^-2 in 1997.  Differences were small among cultivars in 1993-94 for seed yield, flower density, and seed wt per flower because of limited moisture.  In 1996-97, Columbus produced less seed than the other cultivars because of low seed set per flower. Its later maturity and selection under a longer daylength than US cultivars may be contributing factors.  Good seed yields can be produced by US crimson cultivars in the southeastern US if grazing livestock are removed by April 1 followed by good moisture in April for flower development.

Keywords: Trifolium incarnatum L.; crimson clover; seed production; grazing.