Clover VIK-7

VIK-7 red clover is an early-maturing, two-cut variety intended for cultivation on meadows and fields. It is characterized by a vegetative period from spring regrowth to the first cut of 50-65 days, which is 10-15 days earlier than late-maturing varieties. The plant has an erect and semi-spreading bush with stem heights of 60-75 cm in the first cut and leaf coverage of 55% in the first cut and 78% in the second. The variety seeds are egg-shaped, colored from yellow-violet to yellow, with a mass of 1000 seeds ranging from 1.9 to 2.0 g. The VIK-7 variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness and drought resistance, as well as low fertilizer requirements. It has a low degree of anthracnose infection and medium resistance to fusarium and clover cancer. Maximum yield of dry matter reaches 12 t/hectare, and seeds — 650 kg/hectare. Crude protein content in dry matter varies from 16.0 to 17.3%, and fiber — from 24.5 to 26.0%. These indicators make the variety valuable for producing high-protein green and dry feeds, such as silage, pellets, and granules. VIK-7 clover is widely used in agriculture for hay production on field lands and cultivation in catch crops. It contributes to soil improvement and increased yield of subsequent grain crops, acting as a good predecessor. Despite not always synchronized flowering and seed ripening with slight unevenness, the variety retains its main advantages and is recommended for cultivation in various regions, including the Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatsky, Central-Black Earth, and Middle Volga regions.