Phacelia Dana

Technical Profile of 'Dana' Phacelia

The breeding program led by Vladimir Chernyavskikh and Elena Dumacheva focused on developing the 'Dana' variety as a high-performance solution for honey production and biological soil remediation. Originating from Russia, this variety is engineered as a functional tool for integrated pest management and soil fertility restoration.

Agronomic Specifications

• Seed Depth: 1.0–1.5 cm. Maintaining this depth is vital, as the small seeds possess limited energy reserves for emergence.
• Biocontrol Properties: The biochemical composition of the 'Dana' variety offers inherent resistance to leafrollers and codling moths, positioning it as an ideal "sanitary" cover crop within orchard and berry farm crop rotations.

Functional Advantages

‘Dana’ serves a dual purpose: a high-yielding honey plant and an aggressive green manure (siderate). Unlike wild-type phacelia, this variety features a synchronized flowering period and optimized nectar output. As a siderate, 'Dana' acts as a biological weed suppressant; its rapid establishment phase allows it to capture space, sunlight, and soil nutrients, outcompeting invasive species before they can set seed. The root system is engineered to optimize soil structure, improving aeration and water infiltration, which is essential for rejuvenating exhausted arable land.