Kostiantyn

Kostiantyn is a variety of esparcet, developed by the Steppe Institute of Agriculture. It is a mid-late, drought-resistant, and winter-hardy type that adapts easily to different soil types, except acidic ones. It grows on stony and gravelly surfaces, tolerates salinity well, and has the ability to accumulate nitrogen in the soil – 100–120 kg/ga after one growing season.

Physiological characteristics: bush is erect, height 100–125 cm, medium leaf density. Leaves have lanceolate or oval shape, dark green in the lower layer and light green in the upper. Floral inflorescences are spindle-shaped, medium density, with pink flowers. Pods are light brown, weakly armed with teeth, mass 20–22 g per 1000 pieces.

Prevention and use: the variety has high resistance to diseases (8–9) and lodging (9), and also withstands weeds well in the second and third year. Kostiantyn is used as a fodder, nectar-producing, or green manure crop, increasing soil organic mass and ensuring a good level of nitrogen and phosphorus after two years of sowing.

Yield: green mass – 32–37 t/ga, air-dry matter – up to 8.5 t/ga, seeds – 0.8–1.4 t/ga. In one ton of green residues there are about 196 g of protein and 65 mg of carotene. The variety does not cause tympany during livestock grazing and can be used as a catch crop to increase wheat yield.