Description

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), commonly known as lucerne, is a perennial flowering legume renowned for its high nutritional value and versatility in forage production. Cultivated globally, alfalfa is primarily used for grazing, hay, silage, and as a green manure or cover crop. The plant features trifoliate leaves and clusters of small purple flowers, reaching heights up to 1 meter. Its deep root system, extending over 15 meters in some cases, grants exceptional drought tolerance and soil stabilization benefits. ​

Alfalfa thrives in well-drained soils with a neutral pH and is adaptable to various climatic conditions. It is often referred to as the “Queen of Forages” due to its high protein content, digestibility, and yield potential. Beyond its use as livestock feed, alfalfa contributes to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, enhancing the growth of companion crops in mixed planting systems.