Dakota

The DAKOTA alfalfa variety is a medium-maturing, multi-cut type with high frost tolerance, capable of withstanding temperature drops to –20 °C at the crown level. It is characterized by early or mid-flowering and has a semi-indeterminate plant type with stem heights ranging from 80 to 92 cm. Lower pods are positioned at a height of 15–17 cm, flowers are purple, seeds are yellow with nearly black hilums, and pubescence is brown. The variety is characterized by high resistance to lodging, drought, shattering, and complex diseases, including ascochitis, rust, wilt, dwarfing, and anthracnose.

DAKOTA demonstrates good adaptation to a cold climate and rapid spring development with high regrowth ability. During the vegetation period, 2–3 cuts can be obtained on dryland, with an average dry matter yield of about 40 c/ha and a potential green mass yield reaching 164 c/ha or 5.0–5.7 t/ha. Protein content in the plant exceeds 43%, and oil content is 22% and above. The weight of 1000 seeds varies from 185 to 210 g, at a sowing rate of 18–20 kg/ha, which corresponds to 4.4–5.5 billion seeds per hectare and a density of 450–550 thousand plants per hectare.

To achieve maximum productivity, it is recommended to prepare the crop bed by applying phosphorus at a rate of 40 kg/ha and potassium at 70 kg/ha before sowing. Seeds should be treated with fungicides and insecticides, and inoculation with bacterial preparations should be conducted. The DAKOTA variety is an excellent forage plant and is considered the best predecessor for cereals and other crops due to its high resistance to adverse conditions and diseases, as well as stable yield.