VALLEOR

Esparcet (lat. Onobrychis) – a perennial leguminous plant, valued as a forage crop and honey plant. Thanks to its branched root system, penetrating up to 1.5 m deep, it actively fixes nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil and improving its structure. This makes esparcet an excellent cover crop: it increases the fertility of even poor soils, does not require strict conditions and is drought resistant.

The forage properties of esparcet are confirmed by high protein content indicators: in 100 kg of hay there is 15% crude protein and 7.8% digestible proteins. Hay and green feed are easily accepted by animals without the risk of bloat, and high germination (up to 94%) ensures a stable yield. For cultivation, neutral or slightly acidic soil with good drainage is recommended; if necessary, liming with dolomite flour in a volume of 6–12 t/ha raises pH to the optimal range of 6.5–7.0.

Esparcet also attracts beekeepers: flowers appearing at the end of May–beginning of June emit a brown-yellow hue and are available to bees all day. Honey obtained from this plant is light amber in color, transparent, with a subtle aroma and rich in vitamin C, carotene, and enzymes. Agricultural practices provide for sowing from March to September, with a sowing rate of 80–100 kg/ha (or 50–60 kg/ha with the row method), which allows achieving a honey yield of 280–350 kg per hectare. Esparcet is a versatile plant, combining decorativeness, useful properties for the soil and high productivity as both a forage and honey plant.