Esparcet "Krasen" is a perennial grass of the legume family, known for its resilience and beneficial properties. The plant develops a long root system reaching a depth of up to 10 m, providing resistance to drought, frost, and soil erosion. During the first year, a stem is formed, and by the second-third season, the plant turns into a bush about 60 cm high. Leaves are rich green, odd-pinnate, and inflorescences are pink-purple, up to 20 cm long, appearing in May-July and serving as excellent nectar sources.
Esparcet is widely used as a cover crop, feed crop, and nectar-producing plant. Beans contain about 15% crude protein and 7-8% digestible protein, as well as vitamins, making them a valuable feed for animals without the risk of gas formation. Roots and greenery enrich the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, promote improvement of soil structure and reduction of erosion. For planting, a sowing depth of 3-5 cm is recommended, soil pH 6.5-7.0, open solar zone; the plant grows well on medium and light loams, but is not suitable for acidic, saline, or too moist soils.
Care for "Krasen" is simple: seeds germinate at temperatures from +1 °C, and growth begins after the soil warms up to +6 °C. Sowing rates vary depending on the region – 70-80 kg/ha in arid steppe areas and 90-100 kg/ha on irrigated land. Harvest is carried out at the beginning of bud formation, when the plant is 6-10 cm high; after harvest, a stubble height of 15-20 cm is left to protect against spring sun. Esparcet can be combined with oat grass, clover, alfalfa, or timothy, which increases overall productivity and diversity of the feed base.
In decorative use, the plant is valued for its bright pink-purple carpet during flowering, attracting beneficial insects. Gardeners use it for decorating flower beds, creating lawns, and mulching. Due to high resistance to unfavorable conditions, "Krasen" is a reliable culture for both agriculture and landscape design.
