Lucerne is a perennial herbaceous plant from the legume family, widely used as a forage crop and green manure. It is distinguished by its high adaptability and ability to grow on poor soils due to its deep root system, which can reach up to 4 meters in depth by the second year of life. Lucerne stems can grow up to 150 cm in height, and its lifespan can reach up to 10 years, making it an effective tool for restoring depleted soils and improving soil fertility in the long term.
Lucerne is valued for its high protein content and rich mineral composition, including calcium, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, copper, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus, which are necessary for bone and tooth health. In addition, it contains all vitamins, especially vitamin K, which plays an important role in protein synthesis, ensuring normal blood clotting, and participates in metabolism in bones, connective tissue, and kidney health. Vitamin K promotes calcium absorption and interaction with vitamin D, which is important for maintaining strong bones and proper functioning of other organs.
Due to its high fiber content, lucerne is an excellent addition to the meat part of the diet, improving digestion and overall health. It is widely used as a food supplement and animal feed supplement, promoting animal health and productivity. Thus, lucerne is a versatile plant with valuable nutritional properties and important agronomic advantages.
