Melilotus «SOLNYSHKO» (Melilotus hirsutus Lipsky) is a late-maturing, hairy melilot variety jointly developed by the Penza Scientific Agricultural Research Institute and the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry. It is characterized by high protein content, resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, lodging, and nitrogen fixation capabilities, making it a valuable element in organic farming and crop rotation.
The «SOLNYSHKO» crop is suitable for a wide range of applications: from producing high-quality feeds (hay, silage, ensilage) to manufacturing grass meal. The dry matter yield of the new variety reaches 14.8 t/ha, and seed yield is 0.46 t/ha, which is higher than standard indicators. Seeds are oval, yellow or yellowish-green, with a mass of 1.8–2.1 g per 1000 seeds. The plant has an upright bush, 170–210 cm in height, with 5–8 stems per plant; the leaves are trifoliate, hairless and waxy-free, slightly toothed along the edge.
The variety has high winter hardiness and drought resistance, as well as resistance to waterlogging. Due to its low coumarin content (0.35%), it is safe for feeding animals. Melilotus «SOLNYSHKO» is easily harvested by machinery; the sowing rate is 8 million seeds/ha. For optimal growth, the application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in a dose of 45–60 kg/ha, scarification, and inoculation of seeds with micro-fertilizers is recommended. The crop is also widely used as a cover crop to improve soil structure, enhance its physico-chemical properties, aeration, and control weeds.
