Clover establishment in Northern California

A survey of 26 northern counties has shown that pastures of rose clover {Tri-folium hirtum) and subterranean clover (T. subterraneum) establish and produce a high quality forage under a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions when they are inoculated with the appropriate root-nodule bacteria and properly fertilized with sulfur or phosphorus where needed. However, there have been a number of failures associated with early nitrogen deficiency in the legume followed by the death of the plants. In certain cases this can be attributed to faulty handling of the cultures of root-nodule bacteria or improper sowing practices. These factors have led to the desiccation and death of the root nodule bacteria on the seed, nodulation failure of the legume and failure of the pasture. Information is being assembled to acquaint ranchers with sound inoculation and sowing techniques in collaboration with J. Street, extension range improvement specialist.