Alfalfa also called Lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family Febaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world.
Alfalfa perennial forage Legume which normally lives four to eight years, but can live more than 20 years, depending on variety and climate.
2. Alfalfa also called Lucerne, is
a perennial flowering plant in
the pea family Febaceae
cultivated as an important
forage crop in many countries
around the world.
Alfalfa perennial
forage Legume which normally
lives four to eight years, but
can live more than 20 years,
depending on variety and
climate.
3. Alfalfa Is Native To Warmer Temperate Climates. Alfalfa is a perennial
forage legume which normally lives four to eight years, but can live
more than 20 years, depending on variety and climate. The plant grows
to a height of up to 1 m (3 ft), and has a deep root system,
sometimes stretching more than 15 m (49 ft).This makes it very
resilient, especially to droughts. It has a tetraploid genome.
Alfalfa is a small-seeded crop, and has a slowly growing seedling, but
after several months of establishment, forms a tough "crown" at the
top of the root system. This crown contains many shoot buds that
enables alfalfa to regrow many times after being grazed or
harvested. It Superficially Resembles Clover, With Clusters Of Small
Purple Flowers Followed By Fruits Spiralled In 2 To 3 Turns Containing
10-20 Seeds.
4. This plant exhibits autotoxicity, which means it is difficult
for alfalfa seed to grow in existing stands of alfalfa.
Therefore, alfalfa fields are recommended to be rotated
with other species (for example, corn or wheat) before
reseeding.
5. Alfalfa is a crop grown by
farmers all over the world
and is primarily used as
feed for livestock. As a
perennial plant, farmers
can grow alfalfa on the
same acre of land for
several years in a grow.
The plants also has
decent drought-tolerant
characteristics.
6. One of the most important characteristics of alfalfa is it’s high
nutritional quality as animal feed. Alfalfa contains between 15 to 22
% crude protein as well as
an excellent source of vitamins
and minerals. Specifically,
alfalfa contains vitamins A, D, E, K, U, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, Niacin,
Panthothanic acid, Inocitole, Biotin, and Folic acid.
7. More than 3 millions alfalfa seeds can be planted on an acre
because the seeds are so tiny.After the seeds sprouts and
grows, and before the following stage, the farmers chops of
the plant and lets it dry in the field. After it dries, farmers
collect the stalks, now known as hay, and most likely will
feed it to livestock.