MILICA

Phacelia "Milica" – an upright cover crop, 82 to 110 cm tall, with sparse bristles on the stem and a weak anthocyanin tint on the nodes. Leaves are odd-pinnatifid, 12–14 cm long, slightly hairy with bristles, green with anthocyanin accents at the base of the petiole. Flowers form dense spike-like whorls of light purple color, gathered at the tops of stems in groups of 5–6, 12–18 cm long. Seeds are elongated, angular, brown with a rough surface.

The plant is characterized by high productivity: green mass yield reaches 226–285 kg/hectare, and seeds – 3.9–4.8 kg/hectare. The vegetative period from germination to the first cut is 39–46 days, to full seed maturity – 90–94 days. Phacelia is resistant to frost and can be sown in early spring after the first snowfall.

Phacelia serves as a universal cover crop: its growth improves soil structure, increasing fertility and looseness, and reducing acidity. After plowing, the plant decomposes, turning into humus and compost, thereby enriching the soil with nitrogen and other trace elements. Additionally, phacelia is used as a nectar-bearing pasture, fodder for livestock and poultry, and possesses insecticidal and fungicidal properties due to natural antibiotics produced by the roots. This makes it a valuable means for fighting pests, fungal diseases, and weeds, and also contributes to soil erosion protection.