Growing Alfalfa With Cropler

Try remote photo monitoring of your alfalfa fields to keep track of plant health and start harvesting when the yield quality is at its peak

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Alfalfa: Key Facts

Alfalfa, also known as Lucerne or purple medic, is a multifunctional legume crop, which not only provides high-quality feed for livestock, but also enriches the soil with nitrogen and improves its structure. Among forage grasses, alfalfa is the cheapest feed although it has a complete amino acid composition and is a valuable source of protein and carotene; its value as livestock forage was described as early as 490 BC. Also, it is a honey plant.

Alfalfa is a perennial flowering plant that can regrow from the same root system for 4 to 8 years. It is also highly adaptable to different growing conditions. It is a cold-resistant crop that can withstand frosts of 20-25 °C even without a snow cover. On the other hand, the plant's root system, which penetrates deeply into the soil, also helps to endure dry and hot weather conditions.

Alfalfa is tolerant to various weather conditions, from heat to cold, but an optimal environment ensures better yield. The plant quickly regenerates after cutting, allowing for several fruiting cycles during the season. It is also widely used as a cover crop as a part of soil improvement plans.

Height

30-150 cm (1-5 feet)

Yield

In irrigated fields, 8-10 cuts with a total
of 80-120 tons of green mass

Roots

Taproot or branched, fleshy, extending deeply into the soil

Pollination

Cross-pollinated by insects, particularly bees

Forage quality

High; known for its high protein and nutrient content

Geography

Temperate regions around the world.

Climate

Temperate climates with moderate rainfall

Growth form

Perennial. Regrows each year from the same root system, but can’t reseed itself easily

Season

Often sown in early spring or late summer

Growth cycle duration

Requires about 3-4 weeks to establish after planting

Cutting frequency

Multiple harvests per growing season (typically 2-4 times per year; up to 8-10 times per year under irrigation)

Soil

Well-drained, loamy soils. Requires consistent moisture levels.

6.5 to 7.5

Temperature

The optimal temperature is 20°C to 29.4°C (68°F to 85°F) during early seedling development and 15.6°C to 23.9°C (60°F to 75°F) at the next stages. Can tolerate higher and lower temperatures if other conditions are suitable.

Alfalfa Phenophases and Signs to Look Out For

Germination and emergence

If moisture and temperature are optimal, in the first 24 to 48 hours the root develops and anchors the seed to the soil, while the seed coat is pushed at the surface making room for the first leaves. The seeds should be sown ¼ to ½ inch deep (0.6 to 1.3 cm), and the soil needs sufficient nutrients at this stage.

Common threats and diseases: Fungal diseases, unsuitable soil moisture level, soil crusting.

Signs to watch: Discolored, blackened, or unevenly swelled buds, signs of fungal diseases on bud scales.

Seedling growth

The first leaves (cotyledons) develop to store nutrients and provide the energy for further growth. At this stage, it’s important to keep soil pH of at least 6.5, control weeds, and look out for seedling illnesses to apply fungicides if necessary.

Common threats and diseases: Weeds, seedling blight, Pythium root rot, pests like aphids, leafhoppers, and grasshoppers.

Signs to watch: Stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, visible damage from pests or diseases.

Three-leaf stage

The shoot develops trifoliates—leaves with three leaflets. They produce energy through photosynthesis, so the plant becomes stronger, its stems elongate, and the first buds develop.

Common threats and diseases: Poor nutrient uptake, leaf spot diseases, pests like aphids.

Signs to watch: Discoloration or spotting on leaves, poor growth, pest presence.

Vegetative stages and crown development

These include early vegetative, mid-vegetative, and late vegetative phases. The plant develops from being not bigger than 6 inches (15 cm) and having only one bud to growing more than 12 inches (30 cm) and having multiple buds, although still without flowers.

Common threats and diseases: Nutrient deficiencies, crown rot, Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt disease, pests such as alfalfa weevils, armyworms, and grasshoppers.

Signs to watch: Wilting and browning at the base of the plant, slow growth, chewed leaves or stems, and signs of bacterial wilt.

Root development*

In a few weeks after germination, the nodulation process begins. Rhizobium bacteria attach to the root hairs and create nodules — symbiotic structures that help to convert atmospheric nitrogen into the form an alfalfa plant can use for growth. To enhance and support this process, make sure soil pH is greater than 6.5 and moisture levels are optimal.

Flower bud development

During the early bud stage, the buds are visible on one or two nodes, but there are more than three during the late bud phase.

Common threats and diseases: Environmental stresses like drought; bud blight, powdery mildew, lygus bugs, and thrips.

Signs to watch: Deformed or discolored buds, buds not opening, and signs of diseases or pest damage on leaves and stems.

Flowering

When flowering begins, new buds still continue to develop above and below open flowers.

Common threats and diseases: Flower blight, aphid infestations, fungal diseases like Sclerotinia, environmental stresses such as excessive heat or moisture.

Signs to watch: Premature flower drop, discolored or malformed flowers, the signs of pests presence.

Seed production

At this stage, seedpods develop at the lower parts of the plant while the upper nodes continue flowering. With time, flowering ends, leaves fall, and there are only thick branched stems with brown seedpods.

Common threats and diseases: Pod borer, seed weevils, fungal infections like anthracnose, environmental factors such as drought or frost, and pests like grasshoppers.

Signs to watch: Poor pod development, discoloration or shriveling of pods, insect damage on the seeds or pods.

When to cut alfalfa*

The optimum period to cut alfalfa is during early bloom of 10-15%. At this stage, it has a suitable ratio of yield and quality. As flowering continues, the forage yield increases but the overall quality decreases because of higher fiber content.

This happens because there is no significant increase in leaves while stems become longer and more fibrous, which rapidly increases their proportion.

However, the most suitable cutting time can be different depending on nutrient requirements, particular livestock species, and environmental conditions.

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Cropler helps in many ways

Health monitoring

Use real-time photo data to monitor plant health, identify nutrient deficiencies, and detect diseases and pest infestations early, preventing significant damage.

Yield estimation

Analyze your fields during the key developmental stages to estimate potential yields and improve harvest planning and results.

Irrigation

Ensure consistent moisture levels, especially during critical growth stages to avoid over-irrigation, prevent diseases and waterlogging.

Fertilization

Choose the best time to apply fertilizers and pesticides, optimizing their use and reducing environmental impact.