Bird's-foot Trefoil Helon

A Reliable Solution for Challenging Soils

The 'Gelon' birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a breeding achievement by the Institute of Fodder and Agriculture of Podillia (NAAS), officially registered in Ukraine in 2014. Unlike many other varieties, 'Gelon' demonstrates exceptional adaptability to the agro-climatic conditions of all three major regions: the Steppe, Forest-Steppe, and Polissia. This makes it a versatile tool for farmers working on low-fertility land.

Key Features and Morphology

The variety is categorized as a tall plant with a late onset of flowering. Its habit is described as spreading, which, combined with long stems, ensures the formation of significant vegetative mass. The plant is visually recognizable by its moderately green foliage, long and narrow central leaflets, and characteristic yellow flowers.

Advantages for Forage Production

• Resilience: The variety thrives on acidic and poor soils where other legumes show low productivity.
• Winter and Drought Hardiness: 'Gelon' consistently withstands extreme temperatures and moisture deficits, which is critical for steppe regions.
• Intended Use: Ideally suited for establishing long-term hayfields and pastures. Due to its biological plasticity, the variety provides a stable yield of green mass over many years.

Choosing 'Gelon' is a sound strategy for farms aiming to optimize costs on land reclamation and fertilizers. It is a low-maintenance crop that transforms problematic land into productive forage areas while maintaining high nutritional value for livestock.