Sainfoin (Onobrychis Mill.) – a perennial herbaceous plant, valued as a nectar plant and fodder. Its leaves are rich in vitamins A and C, carotene, rutin, and flavonoids, as well as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, making it useful in folk medicine for uterine bleeding, neurasthenia, and infectious diseases. In combination with other herbs, it is used to treat osteoporosis, impotence, and nervous system disorders.
In agronomic practice, sainfoin is widely used in field grass mixtures, grassland establishment on slopes, and sandy lands. The average seed yield of the sandy variety ranges from 4–5 centners/hectare to 10–15 centners/hectare, making it attractive for producing fodder crops. The seeding rate for conventional row broadcast sowing is 70–80 kg/hectare, and under cover of spring crops – 100 kg/hectare of germinating seeds.
Sainfoin seeds are sown at a rate of 3.5 to 4.5 million per hectare. The plant is of medium height, the bush at the beginning of flowering is semi-upright, leaves are green, the central leaflet is of medium length and width. Due to its resistance to sandy soils and ability to quickly root, sainfoin becomes an indispensable element of multi-year agro-landscapes, ensuring a stable seed yield and high-quality feed for animals.
