Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) – a perennial herbaceous plant of the legume family, valued as a fodder crop and honey plant. Its root system penetrates deep into the soil up to 1.5 meters, forming root nodules that enrich the soil with nitrogen thanks to symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Thanks to this, the plant improves soil structure, increases its fertility, and protects against erosion.
From an agronomic perspective, sainfoin does not require strict conditions: it grows on any, even poor soils, but prefers well-drained areas with moderate moisture content. Soil preparation involves loosening to 15–20 cm and providing sufficient sunlight. Sowing seeds is carried out at a soil temperature from 6 to 7 °C; the sowing rate is 20–30 g/m² (or 50–60 kg/ha in the row method). The plant reaches maturity and begins flowering at the end of May – beginning of June; the flower remains open for 3–4 weeks.
Sainfoin attracts bees thanks to brownish-yellow pollen and high nectar content (up to 100 kg/ha). Honey production from one hectare can reach 280–350 kg. Moreover, the plant is resistant to pests and diseases, which makes it attractive for both agriculture and apiculture. Thanks to its decorative properties, sainfoin is also often used in landscape design.
