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Perennial Legumes
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Perennial Legumes
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Birdsfoot trefoil is a short-lived (2-4 years) perennial with finer stems and more leaves than alfalfa. It is highly nutritious and does not cause bloat. Birdsfoot trefoil is somewhat tolerant of drought and moderate soil acidity; however, pH levels should be maintained above 5.5 for optimum production. This legume is primarily used in pasture mixed with cool-season forage grasses, but it is not competitive with some of the vigorous warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass and old world bluestems. Grazing should be managed to maintain stubble heights of 3 inches or more, and rotational stocking should be used to allow plants to set and mature seed to maintain healthy, vigorous stands. The more prostrate, or "Empire", types of birdsfoot trefoil are better adapted to grazing. Birdsfoot trefoil, where adapted, can produce forage from April through early October in Oklahoma. Birdsfoot trefoil's relatively short stand life is due primarily to its susceptibility to several crown and root diseases caused by bacteria and fungi as well as nematodes. Several sap-sucking insects damage plants and the trefoil seed chalcid reduces seed yields. New birdsfoot trefoil cultivars may overcome some of the disease susceptibility with genetic resistance, and they will have the ability to reproduce via rhizomes. These new traits should make this species easier to manage as a pasture legume. Planting rate: Broadcasting 8 to 10 pounds per acre into existing pasture normally results in adequate stands. 20 pounds per acre may be necessary to obtain a productive full stand. Yield Potential: Birdsfoot trefoil yields are normally about half that of alfalfa in Oklahoma.
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