Running Buffalo Clover - a Native Species with Unknown Forage Potential.

Running buffalo clover (RBC) (Trifolium stoloniferum) is a perennial, stoloniferous clover native to the Ohio Valley. Currently, there is interest in the forage potential of native species and while a lot is known about grass species such as big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass, there are relatively few options for native legumes species to accompany these grasses. Running buffalo clover is an endangered native clover species with unknown forage potential. The objective of this project was to use RBC as a case study in an undergraduate forage class, as the basis for small-scale greenhouse experiments to quantify some of the agronomic characteristics compared to white clover (T. repens). Studies included, i) inoculation with rhizobia, ii) response to N, P and K, iii) response to defoliation, iv) response to several herbicides, and v) response to shading. White clover and RBC had broadly similar agronomic responses, however, RBC had less forage mass than white clover. In the greenhouse, RBC plants did not flower, but showed sufficient growth vigor as to have some potential for forage production. Additional research with this species is warranted.