FLORA 5 — a variable lucerne variety intended for cultivation in the Volgo-Vyatsky, Middle Volga, and Urals regions. It is a medium-height plant with an erect or semi-erect bush and leaves of medium-intensity green coloration. The central leaflet has medium size, while flowers are predominantly blue-purple, with a low proportion of plants bearing creamy, white, or yellow flowers. Dry matter yield reaches 38.7–41.7 c/ha depending on the region, with the variety showing superiority in protein collection over the standard. During trials, FLORA 5 was not affected by diseases, indicating its stability and reliability.
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is a perennial herbaceous plant with numerous erect quadrangular stems, 30–90 cm tall, densely foliated. Leaves are trifoliate, with an elliptical or oblong-ovate leaf blade. Flowers are small, papilionaceous, gathered in dense heads 2–3 cm long, blooming in June–July. Fruits are spiral-twisted pods, ripening in August–September. Lucerne improves soil conditions by revitalizing it and promoting the development of beneficial microorganisms and soil worms, which increases plant disease resistance and boosts yield.
FLORA 5 is widely used as a fodder crop: it is applied to produce green fodder, hay, silage, and hay meal. The plant has a powerful taproot system up to 2–3 meters long, ensuring good nutrition and drought resistance. Lucerne fodder quality is high — one centner of hay contains about 48 feed units and 10.3 kg of digestible protein, making its nutritional value comparable to half a kilogram of oats. For sowing, it is recommended to use a rate of 15–18 kg of seeds per hectare in pure form or 5–8 kg in grass mixtures, with mandatory pre-sowing treatment and scarification of seeds to enhance germination and protect against diseases.
