Influence of Light on the Foliar Growth of Alfalfa, Red Clover, and Birdsfoot Trefoil1

Synopsis Low intensities and/or quantities of light resulted in a high proportion of leaves to stems on alfalfa and red clover and a low proportion of leaves to stems on birdsfoot trefoil. Increasing the light energy decreased the leafiness of alfalfa and red clover but increased the leafiness of birdsfoot trefoil. As the plants reached maturity the leaf/stem ratio of the three species became approximately the same at high light intensities and/or quantities.