ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Scientific name(s)
Strengths
Limitations
Plant description
Pasture type and use
Where it grows
Establishment
Management
Animal production
Cultivars
Further information
Acknowledgements
Author and date
Download PDF

Go to the top
Talish clover

Scientific name(s)

Trifolium tumens

Strengths

Limitations

Plant description

Plant: A stoloniferous persistent perennial clover with a dense prostrate growth habit to about 40cm. Growing points are located below the soil surface. Talish clover develops a very thick deep taproot similar to lucerne.

Stems: Slender and hairless.

Leaves: Trifoliate with leaflets up to 3 cm long and 2 cm wide.

Flowers: White with a pink tinge on long peduncles.

Pods: Small, ovate, inflated bladder, containing 1 to 2 seeds

Seed: Creamish brown, ovoid, 1-1.3 mm, with approximately 1,000,000 seeds per kilogram. Talish clover has a high level of hard seed > 80%.

Pasture type and use

A long-lived perennial legume developed for use in a mixed perennial grass/clover sward.  Suited for grazing, primarily by sheep and cattle in temperate regions were white clover is not adapted.

Where it grows

Rainfall

>300mm average annual rainfall.

Soils

Adapted to a range of soil types pH 5.0 to 8.5.
Not suited to saline soils.
Will tolerate moderate levels of aluminium.

Temperature

Suitable for sowing in temperate or cool Mediterranean climates.
Tolerant of cold winter temperatures.

Establishment

Companion species

Grasses: Slow establishing temperate grasses such as cocksfoot, phalaris and tall fescue.

Legumes: All pasture legumes.

Grazing herbs: Both chicory and plantain.

Sowing/planting rates as single species

3-6 kg/ha*.
*ensure seed is treated to reduce hard seed levels.

Sowing/planting rates in mixtures

2-3 kg/ha*.
*ensure seed is treated to reduce hard seed levels.

Sowing time

Early Autumn, when soil moisture is adequate is more reliable, however, can be sown in early to mid spring in areas receiving reliable rainfall.

Inoculation

Group C  (WSM 1325).

Fertiliser

New sowings will require fertiliser to promote early root development and enhance seedling vigour. Major nutrient requirements are phosphorous and potassium. Sulphur and molybdenum may be required in some areas.
Soil test results and local knowledge of soil type and fertiliser history should determine rates to be applied.

Management

Maintenance fertliser

Talish clover is highly responsive to fertiliser, which should be applied regularly. 
For best performance maintain Olsen soil P level above 25.

Grazing/cutting

Although Talish clover establishes well compared to other drought tolerant perennial legumes, grazing should be lax in the establishment year.
Once established Talish clover is tolerant of continuous heavy close grazing.
Best grown in a mixture with grass if used for hay or silage.

Seed production

Prolific seed producer under controlled conditions. No commercial seed production data available at this stage.

Ability to spread

Will regenerate from seed, but is unlikely to survive the competition from established plants.

Weed potential

Low weed potential.

Major pests

Resistant to attack by pasture scarab larvae (cockchafer grubs, white curl grubs).
Susceptible to attack from redlegged earth mites, field crickets, slugs and snails particularly in the seedling stage.

Major diseases

Susceptible to powdery mildew under lax grazing in areas receiving high summer rainfall.

Herbicide susceptibility

Susceptible to legume selective herbicides.
Herbicides are available for selective broadleaf weed control.

Animal production

Feeding value

Talish clover produces high quality forage with  a typical feed analysis of: digestibility 79%, crude protein 22%, metabolisable energy 11.6 MJ/kg DM.

Palatability

Highly palatable legume.

Production potential

Annual production yields of over 3 t/DM/ha have been measured in NSW DPI trials at Berridale.

Livestock disorders/toxicity

No problems have been reported for stock eating Talish clover.

Cultivars

Cultivar Seed source/Information
Permatas Tasglobal seeds

 Denotes that this variety is protected by Plant Breeder's Rights Australia

Further information

NSW Department of Primary Industries - Talish clover Primefact 363

Tasglobal Seeds - Permatas Talish clover fact sheet

Plant Breeders Rights - plant database search

Acknowledgements

Dr Brian Dear and Belinda Hackney NSW DPI.
Contributions from Andrea Hurst (TIAR).

Author and date

Eric Hall

December 2008