Cultivation

Alfalfa Seeding Rate

Medicago sativa L.

The seeding rate of alfalfa is calculated based on the intended use, sowing method, and biological characteristics of the seeds. The optimal plant stand density for the first cut is 4.4–6.6 million plants per hectare.

In the reference 21 varieties crop Alfalfa, where this is mentioned in the description.

When growing alfalfa for forage using the drill seeding method in irrigated areas, the rate is 5 million viable seeds per hectare, which is equivalent to 12–15 kg/ha, whereas for row cropping, it is reduced to 2–3 million viable seeds. For seed production, wide row spacings of 60 to 100 cm are used to improve branching, and in forage mixtures, the alfalfa rate is limited to 8–10 kg/ha.

The rate calculation accounts for the 1000-seed weight, which is 1.4–2.6 g, laboratory and field germination, as well as natural plant mortality. An important factor is the presence of hard seeds, which require mandatory scarification to ensure germination, as their incomplete emergence often leads to unjustified increases in seeding rates.

General information about the subject — on the page Seeding rate.

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.

Verko

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

VEB Saat und Pflanzgut (DE)

DE FR HR HU PL SI

14 records

Milky Blue

Active

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

3 records

Barnard

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Barenbrug Holland BV (NL)

3 records

Eugenia

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

3 records

Algonquin

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

5 records

Terminated

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Semenarna Ljubljana d.d.

1 record