Narrow-leafed lupin variety "Ladny" – an ultra-early maturing option that first appeared in Russia as a grain-forage crop with a short vegetation period of 70‑80 days. The plant is characterized by a taproot system, capable of penetrating up to two meters deep, which ensures drought resistance and increases yield – from 3 to 4 tons of grain per hectare. Seeds weigh 145‑200 grams per kilogram, contain 32‑35% protein, and have minimal alkaloid content (0.001–0.015%), making them suitable for feeding livestock without risk of poisoning.
"Ladny" exhibits high cold hardiness: germination is possible at temperatures of 3‑5 °C, and seedlings withstand brief frost down to –6 °C. The plant prefers light loam and sandy loam soils with pH 5–6, but grows successfully in denser soils as well. The vegetation period can vary from 72 to 170 days depending on growing conditions, but in a warm and humid climate, the plant quickly reaches a height of up to 1.5 m.
The forage qualities of lupin are confirmed by high protein content (32‑35%) and low levels of bitter alkaloids. Due to this, the variety is widely used as a grain-forage crop, as well as as green manure to improve soil structure. In addition to forage properties, lupin is used in medicine: its seeds contain vitamins and possess insecticidal properties. The "Ladny" variety is a good predecessor for winter grain crops, saving nitrogen fertilizer costs thanks to its own nitrogen moderator.
During cultivation, no application of fungicides or insecticides is required – the plant is resistant to diseases and pests. Sowing is usually carried out in June, at a soil temperature of 3‑4 cm depth, and after emergence grows as a dense bush with an average seed attachment height of about 18 cm. Seeds are harvested at maturity, when they become round-juicy and colored from black to white with creamy spots. Green mass yield reaches 250‑400 centners/hectare, and seed yield – up to 23 centners/hectare.
Thus, lupin "Ladny" represents a high-yielding, cold-hardy, and forage-valuable crop suitable both for forage production and for soil improvement in agro-ecosystems.
