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Cultivation

Forage value of alfalfa

Medicago sativa L.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a highly productive perennial crop with a high content of plant protein, minerals, and vitamins, used as a primary component in balanced diets for livestock.

In the reference 219 varieties crop Alfalfa, where this is mentioned in the description.

The nutritional value of alfalfa is determined by its protein content, which reaches 22% during the budding phase, allowing it to be used as a full-fledged substitute for expensive oilseed meals. Harvesting in later stages leads to a decrease in protein levels and an increase in fiber and lignin content, which negatively impacts forage digestibility.

The biological characteristics of alfalfa include the ability to yield 3–4 cuttings per season and the capacity to maintain productivity in one location for up to 6 years. Due to a robust root system reaching depths of up to 10 meters, the crop provides a stable dry matter yield even during drought periods.

In ruminant diets, fresh alfalfa forage effectively complements corn silage to balance carbohydrates and protein. However, the crop has high environmental requirements; it is sensitive to soil acidity and grows optimally at a pH of 6.0–7.0.

General information about the subject — on the page Forage purpose.

Sources8

Varieties of Alfalfa mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.

Luisante

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE, FR

FR
1 record

Milky

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

GIE GRASS (FR)

FR
1 record

Soča

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Semenarna Ljubljana d.d.

PL
1 record

ROSANA

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Horens`kyi Vitalii Mykhailovych, Maksimov Anatolii Mykolaiovych, Mamalyha Vasyl` Stepanovych, Buhaiov Vasyl` Dmytrovych,

UA
2 records

Pava

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Horenskyi Vitalii Mykhailovych, Buhaiov Vasyl Dmytrovych,

UA
2 records

Rodena

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

HORENSKYI VITALII, MAMALYHA VASYL, MELNYCHUK TETIANA, BUHAIOV VASYL

UA
2 records

Sapko

Protection expired

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Bocsa Ivan / Buglos Janos / Majko Zoltan

HU
1 record

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Lodi

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Tuscia

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Serena

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

3 records

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Messe

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Eagle

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Atene

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

Adriana

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

IT
2 records

WL 232 HQ

Withdrawn

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

EE
1 record

OSJEČKA 12

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Poljoprivredni Institut Osijek, HR

HR
1 record

OSJEČKA-70

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Poljoprivredni Institut Osijek, HR

HR
1 record

OSJEČKA 90

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Poljoprivredni Institut Osijek, HR

HR
1 record

Altfranken

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SK
1 record

Prerovska

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SK
1 record

Kurazh

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

UA
2 records

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