🌱
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
legumes
Called the "queen of forages," alfalfa is the most important forage crop in the world and one of the most powerful nitrogen-fixing plants. Its deep taproot (up to 5 meters) mines minerals from deep soil layers and improves soil structure for subsequent crops.
💡 Fun Facts
- -The name alfalfa comes from Arabic "al-fisfisa" meaning "father of all foods".
- -Alfalfa sprouts contain saponins that may help lower cholesterol.
Growing Tips
- -Inoculate seeds with Sinorhizobium meliloti for proper nitrogen fixation.
- -Do not cut too low - leave 5-8cm of stubble for regrowth.
- -A well-established alfalfa stand can fix 200-400 kg nitrogen/ha/year.
Growing Guide
Detailed growing guide coming soon.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Pest and disease data coming soon.
Nutrition
Nutritional data coming soon.
History
History and origin story coming soon.
Quick Facts
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Climate
- temperate, subtropical, arid
- Origin
- Iran and Central Asia
- Harvest
- 60-70 days first cut, then every 28-35 days
- Water
- moderate
- Sun
- full-sun
- Soil
- Deep, well-drained soil, pH 6.5-7.5
- Spacing
- Broadcast sow at 15-20 kg/ha
- Temperature
- 10-30C (50-86F)
Track Alfalfa on your farm
Get Started Free