TAEZHNIK

Alfalfa variety TAEZHNIK is a new winter-hardy variety created in Russia between 2001 and 2016 to increase fodder and seed productivity as well as resistance to diseases and stress conditions in northern regions. This diploid, mid-season, single-cut variety is characterized by a period from the beginning of spring regrowth to the first cut of 66 days and to seed maturity of 110 days. The high winter hardiness of the variety reaches 95–98%, which makes it particularly valuable for use in the conditions of the European North and the Northwestern region of Russia.

TAEZHNIK is characterized by high green mass yield, which according to variety trials amounts to an average of 38.0 t/ha, exceeding the standard variety Niva by almost 5 t/ha. The potential productivity in dry matter reaches 11.0 t/ha. In the dry matter composition, there is about 14.9% crude protein and 24.4% crude fiber, which ensures high nutritional value for feeding cattle. The variety shows medium resistance to anthracnose and root rot, which contributes to its reliability in agro-technical use.

Morphologically, TAEZHNIK has a long stem of medium thickness with moderate pubescence, leaflets of medium length and width with characteristic white markings. Inflorescences are colored red, and seeds have multicolored skin. The average yield of dry matter in the region is about 19.8%, which is slightly higher than standard indicators. Thanks to its qualities and adaptation to northern conditions, the TAEZHNIK variety is an important fodder base, contributing to maintaining the protein balance in livestock farms.