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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.

Daniela

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

VARGA PAUL MIHAILSCHITEA MARIAMARTURA TEODORDIHORU ALEXANDRINAHAGIMA IOANA

RO
6 records

Araucana

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

LOS PRADOS

IT
8 records

Lopaly

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

GIE GRASS (FR)

DE FR
5 records

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

E.E.A.MANFREDI INTA

ES
7 records

Paola

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

MEDITERRANEA SEMENTI SRL

UA
4 records

Emily

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Ferri Luigi Sementi Srl (IT)

FR
4 records

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

AGRIPRO BIOSCIENCES

IT
7 records

KM Agro

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Nagy Bela / Ficsor Jozsef / Bech Lajosne

HU
4 records

KM Norbert

Protection expired

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Nagy Bela / Ficsor Jozsef / Bech Lajosne

HU
4 records

Zuzana

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

CZ NL SK
7 records

Elga

Protection expired

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

ES FR HR SI
4 records

Regia

Protection expired

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

CZ SK
6 records

Magda

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

CZ SK
6 records

Sequel

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

ES
5 records

Mireille

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE, FR

ES FR
3 records

Limory

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Grass G.I.E.

FR
4 records

OS 200

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Poljoprivredni Institut Osijek, HR

HR
3 records

Pleven 6

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Z. Angelov, A. Ibraimov

BG
4 records

NG610

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

NOVA GENETICS INC

GR
3 records

Candela

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

CRIADERO EL CENCERRO

DE
4 records

Vasiliki

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

HAO-DEMETER-Fodder Crops and Pastures Institute

GR
3 records

Chloi

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Zouliamis Nikolaos

GR
4 records

Lifeuil

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Amelioration Fourragere (FR)

FR
4 records

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