HORLITSA

Horlitsa is an early-maturing crop from the Brassicaceae family, used as a forage, nectariferous, and oilseed crop, and is also one of the most productive cover crops among all types of rapeseed. It is distinguished by high winter hardiness and drought tolerance, allowing it to thrive in various climatic conditions. The period from seedling emergence to stem elongation is 30-40 days, after which intensive accumulation of vegetative mass begins. Horlitsa is capable of absorbing poorly soluble nutrients and converting them into forms available to plants, which contributes to improved soil fertility.

As a green fertilizer, horlitsa significantly improves the physical and phytosanitary condition of the soil, which positively affects the yield of subsequent crops. The plant loosens and structures the soil, increasing its aeration and water-holding capacity. As biomass decomposes, horlitsa becomes a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, enriching the soil with organic matter and humus. Young and fresh plants are rich in nitrogen and trace elements, decompose quickly, allowing the main crop to be planted as early as 2-4 weeks after incorporating the cover crop.

The "Horlitsa" variety is late-maturing and was bred as a result of selection at the National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine. The plant forms an elevated rosette of medium-sized leaves with a gray-green hue and a strong waxy coating. The head is of medium size, oval in shape, very dense, weighing from 2.5 to 3.3 kg, with greenish flesh and good taste. Covering leaves are gray-green, without anthocyanin coloring. Sowing is recommended from early spring to the second or third decade of August on moist, leveled soil. Horlitsa grows and develops without special care, making it convenient for use in various agro-technical systems.