Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

Also known as alfalfa. It is a high protein forage crop which is usually grown on its own and is very good on drought-prone soils. It establishes relatively slowly, producing significantly more biomass in the second and third years. Lucerne should only be grown on free-draining, alkaline soil. Lucerne requires the correct strain of rhizobia (known as an inoculant) to efficiently fix atmospheric nitrogen and get the most growth. It is a very deep rooting plant, which also fixes nitrogen, this means that it is a very good soil improving species. Foliage of lucerne dies off over winter but resumes growth from its crown in the spring. Lucerne should be sown at 1cm. The soil should be rolled after sowing to increase soil moisture contact with the seed.

• Overwintering

• Pure seeding rate 20 kg/ha

• Seed rate in a mixture 5-7 kg/ha

• Approximate seed cost 5 €/kg

• C/N ratio 17…24:1

• A single deep taproot, with variation in the number and size of lateral roots; growing deep to 2 meters.