![]() The nitrogen contribution in the second year after red clover is approximately 75 percent of that supplied in the first year (in our example this would be 40 x 0.75 = 30 pounds of N in the second year). With a 100 percent stand, 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre would be contributed by the red clover to the following crop. Thus, a stand of two plants per square foot would represent a one-third (33 percent) stand, which would be expected to contribute 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Until sufficiently repeated trials are completed in Pennsylvania, we recommend following these guidelines from Michigan to calculate the pounds of nitrogen supplied per acre by a terminated red clover stand to the following crop:ģ0 + 0.30 x % stand, where 100 percent is five to six plants per square foot after at least one year of growth A study in Pennsylvania showed that a one-year-old red clover stand (without harvest) contributed 70 pounds of nitrogen per acre to the first corn crop following it, while there was a benefit of 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre for the second corn crop grown one year later. A lower nitrogen contribution is more common, however. In a study in Wisconsin, red clover fixed enough nitrogen to supply the equivalent of 160 pounds per acre of nitrogen fertilizer. ![]() It is quicker to establish than mammoth and grows back well after it is cut. There are two types of red clover: medium red and mammoth red clover. It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.2. Red clover does best on well-drained soil, but it also tolerates poorly drained soil. It is winter hardy in USDA Hardiness Zone 4, which means red clover survives the winter in all of Pennsylvania. Red clover is adapted to many different environments. Red clover can be used as a cover crop that provides many benefits such as fixing nitrogen (N) to meet needs of the following crop, protecting soil from erosion, improving soil tilth, competing with weeds, as well as supplying forage needs. Red clover is a short-lived perennial that is winter hardy throughout Pennsylvania.
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