Trifolium alexandrinum (Egyptian clover, berseem clover)[1] is an annual clover 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,[2][3] and was introduced into northern India in the early nineteenth century. It is also grown in the United States and Europe.
The plant reaches 30 to 100 cm (12 to 39 in) tall with erect or ascending stems. There are two types of berseem clover, single-cut and multi-cut. Single-cut varieties, like Balady, feature a high growing point and feature poor recovery once harvested. Multi-cut varieties, like Frosty, feature a lower growing point allowing for multiple harvests from a single sowing.
Berseem clover is generally frost-sensitive and should be planted only after potential for frost has passed. The exception is Frosty berseem clover which was developed by Grassland Oregon, Inc. and released in 2016. This variety is capable of surviving temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit.[4]
Forage - Berseem clover is capable of producing up to 8 tons of forage in a single growing season.[5] Berseem clover is similar in forage quality to that of alfalfa.[citation needed]
Green Manure - Berseem 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 as much as 280 lbs./acre of nitrogen to following crops.[6]
Berseem provides highly nutritious and tasty fodder for livestock in winter season in repeated cuttings. It contains 17% crude protein, 25.9% crude fiber and 60-65% TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) content.[7] 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 resists salinity.
The project will focus on positive efforts and outcomes to increase berseem productivity:
Partnerships and collaboration arrangements The Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), National Gene Bank (NGB), Field Crops Research Institute (FCRI), and Nile University’s Center of Informatics Sciences (CIS) will partner on the activities within this project. All the involved institutions have the proper expertise and are capable of conducting the project as briefly introduced below.
AGERI will be responsible for the next generation sequencing wet-lab part including preparation and conducting massively parallel sequencing and molecular markers work. AGERI will lead the management of the project. It will be responsible for coordinating, monitoring, reporting and assessing the work progress.
The National Gene Bank will contribute throughout its Field Crops Department in addition, to the characterization, evaluation, conservation and maintenance of genetic resources. Cytology Lab will be responsible for chromosome structure, karyotyping and FISH analysis.
The Field Crops Research Institute will help during evaluation in the target areas to identify the difference between genotypes and commercial varieties as well as to help in evaluation of berseem genotypes, hence exploiting the promising germplasm in the plant breeding programs.
Nile University will be responsible for the bioinformatics analysis of the next generation sequencing data and uploading the draft genome sequence on the NCBI website.
Will contribute in the germplasm evaluation and dissemination of promising genotypes to the farmers.