Sainfoin (Onobrychis Paertn.) is a valuable fodder plant. It contains less crude protein and more nitrogen-free extracts than alfalfa and therefore in total nutritional value is almost not inferior to it. In the spring it grows very quickly and becomes ready for mowing before the alfalfa, it is an excellent honey plant, it is not attacked by cuscuta and others.
In the first years of its introduction, sainfoin was grown almost exclusively in western Bulgaria, and later - in the northeastern regions. Sainfoin is relatively less demanding than alfalfa and gives significant yields on drier and shallower soils and sloping terrains. The most suitable for growing sainfoin are deep, nutrient-rich, structural soils with sandy-clay mechanical composition. Unsuitable for sainfoin are heavy, compacted and cold soils with high groundwater levels and soils with acid reaction.
In the first year the sainfoin develops slowly and forms only a rosette, in the next year it forms 2-3 undergrowth. The seeds ripen at different times - not simultaneously.
Sainfoin is an excellent honey plant. The quality of the above-ground mass of sainfoin is not inferior to alfalfa. It gives very good hay. Most often it produces 400-500 kg of hay per decare. It is not attacked by cuscuta and does not cause swelling of livestock. It has a deep root system (up to 4 meters) and grows well in rich and deep soils, as well as in poor, shallow, dry and calcareous soils. Due to these qualities, it is often used to strengthen torrential and steep places.
Sowing standard: 8-10 kg / dca (hulled seeds); 14-18 kg / dca (unhulled seeds)