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VALLEVERDE – (Medicago sativa L.)
Our aim has been to make a new variety starting with well known genetic material and appreciated by farmers that would probably have gone lost. We're talking about the eco-type named "ecotipo dell'Italia centrale", eco-type that has always adapted itself very well in our surroundings giving however good productions and persistent growing year by year. The new variety has been obtained working through a long selection, starting with vegetable material, obtained by a society included in the list of those named «basic societies» by the law "D.M. del 3-03-1995". It adapts itself to any kind of soil except impermeable and acid.Registered in the "Registro Nazionale delle Sementi Elette di specie agrarie" since 2006.

Use and productivity:
Medicago sativa is a tipical fodder for mowing. The right period for mowing is at the beginning of flowering until 50% has reached this stadio fenologico. When isn't possible, for several reasons, obtain a good flowering, mowing has not to be done until is present a new regrowth under the corona that will be part of the next cut. You used to do for hilly areas 3/4 mowings instead 4/5 for level ones. Annual productions go from 60 to 80 q/ha of dry substance for hlly areas and 160-170 q/ha (dry substance) for areas with particular vocation. About green fodder, proteinic contribution decreases passing from the first to next years. Instead about hay, its proteinic contribution is poorer than 5% but better about raw fibre.

    Morpho-physiological characteristics:
  • Height stalk: 33.17 in. ± 1.19 (1st cut 2nd year)
  • Central leaflet:
    • Shape: elliptic 63%, obovate 32%, oblong-obovate 5%
    • Length: 0.90 in. ± 0.5
    • Width: 0.64 in. ± 0,25
  • Flowers colour: purple 87%, light violet 16%
  • Flowering class: 24 days (after 1st cut 2nd year), 10% flowered plants (9th June), 75% flowered plants (17th June)
    Physiological and agronomical characteristics:
  • Autumnal dormant: medium
  • Spring awakening: medium-precocious
  • Cut proof: medium-high
  • Cold proof: medium-high
  • Dry substance produced: 25.6%
  • Ratio leaf/stalk: 1.08
  • Drought sensibility: medium
  • Adaptability to hilly areas: high
  • Seed production aptitude: medium-high