Lucerne "Tenderness" is a perennial herbaceous plant of the legume family, possessing high feeding value and exceptional productivity. It regrows 3-4 times during the vegetation period, providing tender and nutritious feed throughout the summer. The green mass and hay of lucerne are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable component for silage, green feed, and hay. Nutritionally, 100 kg of lucerne hay equals 53 feeding units and contains 8.5 kg of digestible protein. The yield of green mass can reach 400-600 c/ha, while hay yields can be 50-120 c/ha and more.
In addition to its feeding properties, lucerne is an effective green manure crop that significantly enhances soil fertility due to its nitrogen enrichment. By the second or third year of growth, the plants accumulate in the soil as much nitrogen as is contained in 40-60 tons of manure. It also helps clean fields of weeds when grown densely, serving as a phytosanitary crop. Lucerne is the best predecessor for cereal and other agricultural crops, and its positive effect on soil lasts for several years.
For planting lucerne "Tenderness", the recommended seeding rate is 15-20 kg/ha for pure stands or 6-8 kg/ha in mixtures with other grasses. Seeds are sown to a depth of 2-3 cm in moist soil or 3-4 cm in dry soil. Due to its unique properties, lucerne "Tenderness" is a valuable choice for increasing the productivity of pastureland and improving soil quality.
