Arrowleaf Clover

In Depth

Arrowleaf clover is a highly productive winter annual clover grown from East Texas to Georgia. It is most productive when grown on well-drained loam or sandy loam soils but can do well on well-drained clay soils. It will not tolerate acid soils. This clover generally produces less forage in late fall and winter than crimson clover but can produce six weeks (or more) longer in spring. In most areas of the state, it will provide excellent quality grazing until late May. Digestibility remains high until maturity. Arrowleaf is a good clover to include in grazing mixtures. It has a very low bloat potential, and its late spring production extends the grazing season while providing excellent quality forage.

Arrowleaf is a prolific seed producer, much of which will be hard seed. As a result, arrowleaf is considered a good reseeder if it is allowed to reseed. To allow reseeding, remove animals from the paddocks or reduce stocking rates in late April or early May when the clover starts to flower. WARNING: If arrowleaf has been grown in a pasture for several years, the ability of arrowleaf to reseed dependably is seriously compromised by a Fusarium spp. disease complex.

Sod-seeding arrowleaf into warm season perennial pastures is an excellent way to achieve spring grazing and to introduce biologically-fixed N into the system. Unchecked vigorous spring growth can reduce early spring growth of the perennial grass. In overseeded pastures, closely graze arrowIeaf clover during the spring to avoid a full canopy developing over the perennial grass.

Arrowleaf will continue to produce new leaves and remain productive until late spring/early summer, if grazing is managed to keep it 2 – 6 inches tall. This management also will help improve light and air movement into the canopy, thus reducing disease problems. Arrowleaf will often exhibit symptoms of stress (e.g., purpling of the leaves) in response to fertility problems, cold stress, or disease.

Several varieties of arrowleaf clover are available in the Southeast. However, many of the varieties are affected by a virus complex that can drastically reduce yields. Some cultivars are now available that have demonstrated improved resistance to these viruses.

Arrowleaf Clover

Arrowleaf clover can either be established on a prepared seedbed or they can be overseeded on warm season perennial grass pastures. Planting with a drill (using the small seed box) or by broadcasting the legume seed can result in satisfactory stands. However, the seeding rate needs to be adjusted to compensate for the differences in these planting methods (Table 1). Information on broadcasting legume seed is detailed in Factsheet CSS-F004 “Seeding Methods for Small-Seeded Legumes.”

When planting into dormant warm season grass sod, one or more legumes may be used to achieve a solid legume stand. When planted in a prepared seedbed, one or more of these legumes are often mixed with a small grain crop or ryegrass. Seeding rates for arrowleaf clover when used in such mixtures will need to be adjusted to minimize seed costs and prevent excessive competition (Table 1).

Planting too deep is not usually a problem when legumes are broadcast on dormant warm season perennial grass sod. However, when the legumes (especially small-seeded species) are being drilled or broadcast onto a prepared seedbed, special care should be taken to ensure that the legume seeds are not planted more than ¼ - ½ inches deep.

Dr. Dennis Hancock
Forage Extension Specialist
Crop & Soil Sciences Dept.