Egyptian clover is cultivated mostly in irrigated sub-tropical regions, and used as leguminous crop. It is an important winter crop in Egypt, where it may have been cultivated since ancient times, and was introduced into northern India in the early nineteenth century. It is also grown in northern Africa west of its native range, and in Australia, China, Europe and the United States,
Forage Egyptian clover provides highly nutritious fodder for livestock in winter season in repeated cuttings. Yields range from 44 to 71 tonnes per hectare of forage in a single growing season. Berseem needs a mild temperature to germinate and further establishment. Its growth is restricted during severe cold or frosty weather. It grows well on medium to heavy soils and is tolerant of salinity, and is similar in forage quality to
alfalfa.
Green manure Egyptian clover can also be used as a
cover crop suppressing weeds or as a green manure crop providing nitrogen to following crops. As a
green manure crop, berseem is capable of providing from 300-400 kg/ha of nitrogen to following crops.
As fodder ==References==