Lucerne variety Khersonskaya 7 is a high-yielding forage crop widely used in agriculture for producing hay, silage, green mass, and hay flour. This variety is distinguished by high green mass yield, reaching 45–75 tons per hectare, and hay yield — 8–15 tons per hectare. With proper adherence to agronomic practices, such as sowing, crop rotation, and tillage, 4–5 cuttings can be obtained during the growing season. Lucerne seeds begin to be harvested from the second year of cultivation, with seed yield of 500–900 kg per hectare. Sowing rates for Khersonskaya 7 are 25–30 kg per hectare for pure stands and 10–15 kg per hectare for mixed stands, with seed depth of 2–3 cm. Lucerne is renowned for its high protein content, which is comparable in quality to animal protein. Hay harvested during bud formation contains up to 10% protein, as well as rich amino acids, macroelements (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen), and vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex. Due to these properties, lucerne is an indispensable feed for livestock, ensuring complete animal nutrition. In addition, the plant’s strong root system improves soil structure, increases its permeability, and promotes humus accumulation, positively affecting soil fertility. The plant exhibits high cold and drought resistance, enabling it to thrive under various climatic conditions for 5–8 years. Lucerne is adapted to temperature fluctuations and does not require special chemical treatments. Stems reach a length of 90–120 cm, leaves are smooth, with shades ranging from blue to dark purple. Sowing can be done using specialized seeders or manually, with the option of intercropping, preferably with cereal crops. These features make Khersonskaya 7 a universal and effective choice for forage production and improving agroecosystems.
