Animal Feed Trade - Global Gates

Alfalfa Cultivation Method

Alfalfa Seeds

Planting seeds

Alfalfa irrigation

The mowing

Mowing by machinery

Dried clover

Store clover

Clover transfer

Clover transfer

Export of clover

import of clover

Alfalfa Cultivation

Alfalfa is considered one of the most important forage crops in the world. It is also described as a highly nutritious fodder plant for all types of animals, both dairy and fattening. It also has numerous benefits, summarized as follows:

fixes atmospheric nitrogen, which benefits other crops grown after it, as it adds approximately 80-100 kg of atmospheric nitrogen to the soil per acre annually.
Improving soil properties by adding organic matter.
A complete feed containing all the nutrients for dairy and fattening animals.

Types and varieties of Hijazi clover

Alfalfa varieties are divided into several groups according to different scientific classifications. These classifications depend on the ability of the variety or type to withstand cold. In this regard, it can be divided into several groups, including:

Cold-tolerant varieties characterized by a complete dormancy and growth during the winter.
Moderate cold-tolerant varieties characterized by an incomplete dormancy during the winter.
Cold-tolerant varieties characterized by no dormancy during the winter.

The Egyptian varieties, or those imported especially from the United States of America and Australia for cultivation in Egypt, belong to the third group and are characterised by their upright growth and rapid growth after mowing. They are also severely affected by cold weather and by a group of diseases that affect the leaves and varieties spread in the Egyptian oases scattered across the desert It is also characterised by its strong, branched root system, thick stems and broad, dark leaves.

Egyptian varieties

The National Forage Crops Research Program has developed five varieties: Nubaria 1, Siwa 1, Giza 1, Ismailia 1, and Baladi 1, which provide high vegetable crop yields

Suitable environment

Alfalfa is a plant that can tolerate drought, salinity and cold. It is also adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions. The ideal conditions for achieving vegetable crop productivity require well-drained, low-alkaline, low-salinity soil to a depth of 1 meter or more It is also preferable for the soil to be homogeneous in texture. Such soil ensures a homogeneous ability to retain moisture, which helps the plant grow for a long time. Alfalfa can also grow successfully under a subsoil irrigation system if the soil is well aerated to a depth of 1 meter and the groundwater level reaches a depth of 6.8-7.5 meters

In saline soils, it is important to wash the soil before planting and irrigate it abundantly after planting and germination so that the plant develops a root system that increases its
.ability to tolerate salinity and the strength of its impact

Botanical description

The flowers are found in racemes and are hermaphrodite. The color of the flowers ranges from green to purple depending on the species and variety. Pollination of the flowers is mixed and depends mainly on insects. The seeds are found in spiral pods. The number of turns per pod ranges from 2-3 turns depending on the species and variety. The seed is
.small, kidney- shaped, and olive green to light yellow in color depending on the length of time it has been stored afterharvest