Alfalfa

Alfalfa belongs to the legume family, and it is primarily intended to grow and become a fodder base for livestock. Alfalfa is widely used today in horticulture - it is necessary for making hay, as well as for harvesting silage. Also, alfalfa is ground into flour, added to vitamin complexes, which are intended for feeding livestock, so that animals feel most comfortable.

Introduction

Gardeners today sow alfalfa over thirty million hectares of plots, and this figure is increasing every year around the world. The plant is very popular and in demand in more than eighty countries of the world, and in this article we will tell you more about its features and characteristics, as well as how to properly care for alfalfa so that the result does not disappoint anyone, and in order to get the most out of plantings. Useful and nutritious substances.

Description of the plant, its types

Alfalfa is a perennial that is intended as a seed crop and belongs to the legume family. In nature, alfalfa can be found as a wild plant, which in general is completely unpretentious and not demanding in terms of caring procedures and agricultural technology. The root system of alfalfa is very strong and thick, the roots lie deep enough in the soil, so you should make sure that watering is effective. The stem of the plant is straight, stable, covered from bottom to top with a large number of leaves, which are planted rather densely. The stem height usually reaches 85 centimeters, no more. Inflorescences can have blue and blue hues, they are collected in not very large tassels. Flowering usually occurs in the summer. As for the fruits that grow on the bushes, these are usually hooked beans, which finally ripen around August.

In general, alfalfa is a plant whose homeland is the Asian continent. In wild, natural conditions, the plant can most often be found in the Balkans and in different regions of Russia. In particular, alfalfa loves to grow near water bodies, as well as on forest edges and meadows. Initially, alfalfa was intended as a fodder base for livestock, and in general it remains its most basic purpose. The horticultural culture has been around since the sixth century and was planted abundantly to be mowed for horse feed. Over time, the fodder crop began to be used by many other animals, and gardeners began to plant alfalfa in even greater quantities, as this plant seemed to them incredibly attractive, unpretentious and very effective.

Alfalfa can be considered both as a cultivated plant and as a wild species. In both cases, there are about a hundred varieties of alfalfa, which are known today and are quite popular. In the wild, the plant is found tall, its height can reach one meter. If alfalfa is grown in agriculture, then it is used as fodder material for birds and livestock, but alfalfa can also differ in that it has a huge number of useful and nutritious properties for the person himself. Alfalfa becomes a component of biologically active additives (dietary supplements), and is also included in homeopathic medicines and cosmetic products, which are now used almost everywhere in the world, for which alfalfa has received even greater recognition.

Of course, it is worth mentioning that alfalfa has numerous species, each of which has its own special characteristics and properties, and the following varieties stand out today:

- sickle alfalfa Is a yellow species of alfalfa. It grows in the form of a tall and erect plant, and this alfalfa got its name just due to the color of its inflorescences. The culture can bloom with very small flowers, which are painted in an attractive yellow shade, the flowers are collected in tassels. As for the fodder productivity of this type of alfalfa, it is at an average level, in general, the cuttings are not so productive, although this variety is still very popular due to the fact that the plant is completely unpretentious and very useful, even in small quantities.

- hop-like type of alfalfa - this plant is of medium stature, while the stem is erect, the end of flowering is the formation of pods of a dark, almost black color, seeds are located inside the pods. This species is used mainly in order to make up the fodder base of agricultural livestock, which at the same time receive a sufficient amount of not only nutrition, but also nutrients and vitamins, which are just contained in hop alfalfa

- blue alfalfa - it also includes several well-known and widespread subspecies of plants - Caucasian, Central Asian and Indian alfalfa, as well as subspecies such as European and Mediterranean species of alfalfa, which have their own characteristics and characteristics. What unites all these subspecies is that they are winter-hardy and frost-resistant, grow incredibly quickly, you can carry out not one, but several mows at once, each of which will be equally useful and effective in what alfalfa is originally intended for.

Variable species of alfalfa Is another species that we will consider in the framework of this article. It is a very resistant plant when compared to many other types and varieties of alfalfa. During the growing season, this species is able to give not one, or even two cuts, but three full cuts, which are really incredibly useful and interesting. Of all the species, it is the changeable alfalfa that is considered the most productive, it perfectly tolerates dry periods, sudden temperature changes, lower temperatures, without losing its properties and yield. I would also like to touch upon the northern species of alfalfa - this species perfectly tolerates lower temperatures and frost, and also perfectly takes root in swampy soils, which cannot be said about many other varieties and types of alfalfa. This species grows mainly in northern latitudes, settles in the armholes of rivers, next to lakes and reservoirs. It has suckling subspecies, which are also found quite often, and at the same time have their own specifics and features. Any alfalfa is a sowing species that can satisfy certain needs in agriculture.

Alfalfa variety called Sparta - This is a hybrid variety of alfalfa, which was bred by breeders on purpose. It was obtained thanks to numerous crosses, and as a result, the crossing of such varieties as the Slavic variety and the Langensteiner alfalfa variety turned out to be ideal. The variety originates from the blue species of alfalfa, has been planted for agricultural purposes since about the 80s of the 20th century, has already gained special demand and popularity among gardeners and florists, as it has a huge number of advantages. It is an erect, upright plant that can fall down slightly if it reaches its maximum height. Lodging also occurs due to the fact that the bush gradually falls apart, it becomes very heavy. In height, it can reach 95 centimeters, sometimes even a whole meter, if the variety grows in the most favorable and suitable conditions for itself.

The inflorescences are in the shape of a cylinder, usually collected in tassels that reach one centimeter, the color of the flowers themselves can be of any shade of blue, sometimes there are dark purple or lilac flowers that look quite attractive and, at the same time, rather unusual. The beans are medium in size, hidden in a shell, which is distinguished by its loose texture, but the beans still hold quite tightly there. The root system of this alfalfa variety is very well developed, and therefore, during the growing season, you can get as many as four cuttings, if, of course, you take care of the plant and satisfy its most minimal needs. The green mass of alfalfa grows very quickly; the gardener carries out the first cuttings about 75-80 days after the alfalfa was sown in open ground. The varieties contain approximately 22% vegetable protein and are therefore considered one of the most nutritious and popular varieties. It is also worth noting that this variety of alfalfa is completely immune to one of the most dangerous diseases - brown spot: it is not afraid of it, since alfalfa is distinguished by a high level of immunity and stress resistance.

A hybrid variety called Bagheera - was bred in the 80s, and it appeared as a result of long work of breeders on crossing hybrids of blue alfalfa and alfalfa mutable. In height, this variety can reach about one meter, the plant is bushy, has a straight, upright shape, can develop up to forty stems, which differ in thickness and incredible strength. The leaves of the variety are round, light green, look very bright and attractive. The inflorescences of the bush are very dense, painted in a blue tint, the size of one brush can be about 5.5 centimeters, the beans are also spiral-shaped, colored brown when they reach their maximum maturity. The seeds are green, slightly yellowish in color. The variety as a whole is particularly resistant to the problem of lodging of bushes, and therefore it is from this variety that the highest quality hay can be made. The yield per hectare can reach about 65 tons, and sometimes even more. The dry matter accounts for about 11% of the protein, while the variety is distinguished by its resistance to the development of various diseases, putrefactive formations, and, in principle, it is appreciated by gardeners and gardeners, those who raise livestock, and it should be in a constant search for materials to feed animals.

Fairy alfalfa - this variety was bred by domestic breeders, who strove to obtain high-yielding alfalfa, which will yield an excellent harvest even in not the most favorable conditions. The cultivar was later classified as a blue hybrid variable alfalfa, but it still has a large number of features and characteristics that indicate that this alfalfa is unique. This cultivar has inherited many positive characteristics from its parents. It is quite resistant to sudden changes in temperature, while it perfectly tolerates short-term droughts, if they suddenly happen. The variety has been grown recently - since about 2011, and due to the fact that it has a huge number of positive traits and characteristics, it is very common in various regions of Russia, especially in the south.

The stems of the plant are very strong, even a little rough. They are entirely covered with small leaves, sometimes the height can reach one and a half meters. Flowering is carried out by delicate purple flowers, the inflorescences are in the form of a cylinder. The seeds are yellow, thrown away on their own, so this variety belongs to self-sowing. For some, this is an advantage, and some gardeners see this as a significant disadvantage of this variety, so you should think about it before planting this particular alfalfa. Alfalfa can be mowed even during the period of active budding.During the entire growing season of this variety, three bevels can be carried out, no more, and the yield is about 62 tons of alfalfa per hectare of plantings. The choice of the type and variety of alfalfa depends entirely on what the gardener himself would like to achieve, and depends on his personal capabilities in growing this or that variety or species, so gardeners and florists never give specific recommendations on this particular occasion.

Alfalfa is usually sown in the spring, when the soil is already sufficiently warmed up and saturated with moisture. Much will also depend on the region in which alfalfa is sown, and the planting time will depend on this. As a rule, universally alfalfa is sown in open ground already in April, so we can say that this time is suitable for any varieties and types of alfalfa in order for the gardener to get a decent harvest, it is necessary to take care in advance of preparing the seeds for sowing in the open priming. Since the seeds have a fairly dense shell, it is worth treating them mechanically before sowing. To do this, the seeds are removed from the top layer, and also ground with river sand.

If alfalfa is sown in too small areas, then the seeds should first be soaked in water and then dried. After drying, the seeds are treated with special substances - these are pesticides, which are calculated as 3.5 kilograms of the drug per ton of seeds, and from here it is worth starting from calculating the correct dosage. In order for the germination of seeds to be much higher, it is also recommended to treat the seeds with sodium molybdenum, since it is considered one of the most suitable for this crop. Alfalfa can react very capriciously to its predecessors, and it takes root best in an area where previously row crops or crops belonging to leguminous families grew. Alfalfa is also an excellent predecessor when it comes to the many plants that grow in agriculture.

In order for the harvest to be as successful and abundant as possible, it is necessary to correctly process the arable land just before sowing the plants. Prepare the site in advance, for this it should be very carefully inspected, get rid of weeds and other vegetation, and also harrow the ground. With the help of plowing, it is necessary to remove very large and heavy clods of earth, as this will make the soil looser, it will be better enriched with oxygen and moisture. Alfalfa thrives on rich and fertile soils, and if the plant grows on such soils, then you can get about four mows in one season. In order to do this, it is recommended to apply organic additives and fertilizers to the soil before sowing alfalfa, and ideally also some mineral mixtures and fertilizers that are perfectly combined with organic ones and provide a comprehensive nutrition to the culture.

Sowing is carried out from the very beginning of the spring period, the seeds are sown using a special device - a seeder, while it is possible to reduce possible losses that relate to both the main and secondary crops of agriculture. In principle, alfalfa can be sown with some auxiliary plants, among which oats and rye stand out. About five million suitable seeds can be planted per hectare and will demonstrate excellent growth and development results. If alfalfa is sown for spring crops, as well as for annuals, then presowing treatment and soil rolling may not be carried out, alfalfa will already feel great in the existing soil composition. You can sow alfalfa using a disc coulter, but it should also be borne in mind that depth stops are extremely important in this case.When alfalfa is sown, the grower uses an ordinary sowing method, leaving about 11-14 centimeters of distance between rows.

You can use a method such as coverless sowing, but at the same time it is used only in those areas of arable land where the gardener has previously used measures and procedures to prevent the occurrence of abundant weeds. It is also worth keeping in mind that maintaining the distance between the rows is very important. If the row spacing is less, this will lead to thickening of the plantings, and can negatively affect the yield of alfalfa itself - it will become much smaller, depleted, and in general the plantings will feel less comfortable in such conditions. If alfalfa is grown to be used as livestock feed, then the row spacing can be slightly reduced to a maximum of 11 centimeters. If alfalfa is grown as a future seed crop, then the row spacing should be about half a meter in order for the stem to develop well under these conditions, and to prevent possible lodging of shrubs, as they can grow very actively. In general, these norms should be observed exactly until the moment when the seeds finally ripen.

Crop care and benefits of alfalfa

If the gardener observes all the rules and regulations of agricultural technology, then he is unlikely to encounter any difficulties in growing alfalfa. Like any other agricultural plant, alfalfa needs to be watered on time and protected from the spread of weeds. You should also protect alfalfa from pests and diseases, especially during the growing season, and this can be done by applying fertilizers and fertilizers. All measures, if you follow them and carry out in a complex, then they will allow you to get at least three mows of alfalfa in one season, which means that the harvest will be as numerous as possible.

In the very first year, alfalfa should be watered when the seedlings reach a height of about thirteen centimeters, no less. Water is applied in moderation, and thanks to this, the plant will be able to enter the next stage of its development - strong and decorative buds will begin to form abundantly, and the second watering is carried out precisely during the period of their active formation. After the first mowing, the green mass of alfalfa will grow even in not the most favorable, dry conditions, but this process can be accelerated - for this, a more abundant amount of liquid is introduced into the soil. Watering is also very important for alfalfa, which grows in dry regions with dry climates, as sometimes rainfall is very rare there, and it is not enough for the culture to grow and develop normally. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the crops are badly affected by prolonged precipitation, prolonged rains, since the soil becomes swampy, but alfalfa cannot stand this at all, which leads to the plant rotting and dying.

If alfalfa is located in an area with not the deepest groundwater, then it can be watered only a couple of times during the entire growing season. If the soil was also saturated with nutrients before sowing, then during growth the alfalfa may not be fed at all. The exception is too depleted and scarce soils, which simply need the gardener to make additional fertilizing. At the same time, alfalfa is completely unpretentious to organic matter and also unpretentious to minerals. In order for the green mass to become more lush and saturated, it needs the gardener to introduce nitrogen-containing components into the soil, as well as phosphorus and potassium. All this is part of the agro-technical measures that are important for the normal and correct growth and development of alfalfa.

If the gardener wants the plant to become even more decorative, and to speed up the regrowth of the mown areas, then it is worth adding phosphorus-containing fertilizers, and after about 10-14 days, add nitrogen as well. Thanks to this, the plant will be stimulated, it will grow much faster, which means that flowering will come faster, it will be more abundant, and a large number of new seeds will appear. You should not add top dressing to the soil, which, in principle, is initially quite nutritious and fertile. In this case, you can not apply fertilizers and top dressing at all, since the soil does not need them. But oversaturation can also lead to rather sad consequences - the plant will get sick, demonstrate with all its kind that it does not like such conditions at all.

Weed vegetation is exactly what must be constantly dealt with, and this procedure is mandatory in caring for and in alfalfa agrotechnics. Weeds should be mowed if they are about 16 centimeters high. You can adjust the volume of the slices, everything will depend solely on the size of the plant itself. You can add a drug called eptam, which fights well with weeds and does not allow weeds to grow over and over again. In addition, it is a fairly budgetary, effective and reliable drug that will be available to every gardener.

Alfalfa is a very healthy crop that is used in agriculture as feed mix and hay. Also, alfalfa is used to be a component in pharmacology. The herb is excellent for preparing drugs such as Alfalfin, Anticholesterol and Meishi, and many others on its basis. These drugs help lower blood cholesterol levels, normalize the digestive system, and also help in emergency cases if intestinal disorders suddenly occur. The drugs are generally indicated for both adults and children, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before using them. Thus, alfalfa is an excellent planting, which is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and its versatility, which is very important in modern horticulture and pharmacology. This plant blooms and grows very abundantly and is therefore ideal for future hay making for livestock, horses and other farm animals. It has unique traits and characteristics and is why alfalfa is ubiquitous today.