Alfalfa as green manure: types and varieties, pros and cons, when and how to sow

Over time, the fertility of agricultural soils decreases, as grown plants draw all the nutrients from the soil. Green manure crops, which are sown both in spring and autumn, help to increase fertility rates. There is a whole list of plants with which you can improve the quality of the soil. Before using alfalfa as green manure, it is worth figuring out when it is better to sow this perennial and how to embed it in the soil.

Types and varieties of plants

To increase nutritional value and fertility, gardeners and farmers often use green manure plants, one of the most popular is alfalfa.In total, there are about 100 species and varieties of this crop, so it is important to figure out if everyone is suitable for improving soil characteristics.

The following plant varieties are most suitable for this purpose:

1. Yellow crescent. In height, the species grows up to 55 cm and is characterized by increased resistance to pathogenic microorganisms and pests, as well as temperature fluctuations and bad weather conditions. Almost any type of soil is suitable for growing green manure.
2. Blue sowing. This type of alfalfa has a more lush ground part than the previous variety, and grows to a height of up to 80 cm. In addition to increasing soil fertility, powerful vegetation protects soils from erosion due to the fact that the roots of the culture go deep into the ground by 3 meters.

For cold regions, northern alfalfa should be preferred, as it can withstand significant temperature drops.

Pros and cons of alfalfa as green manure

Choosing alfalfa as green manure for sowing on your plot, it is worth studying the advantages and disadvantages of this crop.

Those who have repeatedly grown a plant for subsequent embedding in the ground, highlighted the following advantages:

1. Replenishment of nitrogen reserves in the soil. When the culture interacts with special bacteria, the process of production of a macronutrient is launched, which is necessary for the development of subsequently planted plants.
2. Increase fruiting. Since the roots of alfalfa penetrate quite deep into the soil, this helps to prevent soil erosion.
3. Protection of soil from heat and cold. Thanks to this crop, it is possible to prevent overdrying of the soil in hot summers and freezing in frosty winters, in addition, alfalfa protects the site from excess moisture in rainy weather.
4. Combating pathogens. Alfalfa prevents the development of pathogens in the soil and prevents the growth of weeds.

However, this green manure plant also has some disadvantages:

1. Culture seeds are much more expensive than other green manure crops, so not every owner of a personal plot can afford such an acquisition.
2. Demanding seed material to moisture. If the soil is too dry in the area, then the seeds will not sprout.

Sowing and care rules

To get the maximum germination of alfalfa seed, it is necessary to sow it correctly and provide competent agrotechnical care.

Experienced gardeners recommend following these instructions:

1. If the sowing of seeds is planned for spring, then the soil is prepared from autumn, digging it to a depth of 25 cm.
2. On acidified soils, lime is added before digging the earth.
3. In the spring, as soon as the snow melts and the soil warms up to a sufficient depth, the area where it is planned to sow alfalfa is harrowed. This will allow moisture to linger in the soil, and then the germination of seeds will increase.
4. Seed material is pre-mixed with fine river sand.
5. Seeds are sown to a depth of 2 cm.
6. After completion of work, they roll over the entire area with a roller to compact the soil.

To increase the germination of alfalfa seed material, the seeds are dried in fresh air and mechanically break the integrity of the shell.

When planning to use alfalfa as a green manure, the gardener must remember that this is a perennial plant, and he will teach the expected effect only after 2 or 3 years.

Proper crop care includes maintaining optimal moisture levels, fertilizing and disease prevention. Excess moisture, as well as its lack, harm the culture, especially at the stage of seed germination. If the land on the site is sufficiently moist, additional irrigation is not required. It is necessary to moisten the crops only if there is a strong heat and there is no rain.

If the soil on the site is poor, then before sowing mineral supplements are applied, this will increase the volume of flowering and increase the green mass. After emergence, alfalfas look at the appearance of the plant and use supplements only if the crop appears to be deficient in nutrients.

Such green manure as alfalfa is often affected by powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt, so it is important to carry out prevention using copper-containing preparations. When the first signs of the disease appear, Bordeaux liquid is used, treating twice with an interval of a week.

Spring or autumn

Sowing alfalfa material is allowed from spring to autumn, at the discretion of the gardener. However, the preferred time is still spring. This is due to the fact that after the snow melts, the soil acquires the optimal moisture content necessary for successful seed germination.

How to cut alfalfa?

The green manure plant is mowed at the time of active flowering, when the green mass contains the highest concentration of nutrients, as a rule, this occurs 2 months after sowing the seeds. Work is carried out only in dry and clear weather. Lignified stems are not suitable for subsequent embedding in the soil, so they are used for technical needs on the farm.

Soil after mowing

Completely mow alfalfa in the second year of development, before flowering. Young shoots of culture decompose faster in the ground, so it is important not to be late with the work. The soil is dug up shallowly along with alfalfa and turned over so that the culture is underground.

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