Timbale (Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa) is a perennial blue lucerne variety with a usage period of at least four years. This medium-late feed variety was bred by Italian breeders of Continental Semences and is intended for hay, silage, and ensilage production. The plants reach a height of 66 to 87 cm, have medium bushiness, and are characterized by high productivity and resistance to diseases and pests, including medium-high resistance to Verticillium wilt.
Timbale is distinguished by high yield: the average dry matter yield in the Central Black Earth region is 81.4 c/ha, which is 3.5 c/ha higher than the standard average, while the maximum yield reaches 171.6 c/ha, surpassing the Victoria standard by 20.4 c/ha. Green mass yield reaches 387.6 c/ha, with a protein content of about 20% and fiber content of 25.7%. The variety demonstrates high protein content, making it particularly valuable for animal feed.
For successful cultivation of Timbale, sowing is recommended at a soil acidity of pH above 6 during optimal times — March-April or July-August. The sowing rate is 25 kg/ha, with a seed burial depth of 1-1.5 cm; rolling after sowing is mandatory to improve seed-soil contact. The variety is well adapted to various climatic zones and shows high productivity in several regions, making it a universal choice for agricultural use.
