Alfalfa, a plant with multiple uses, grown across the globe and large areas in Europe; in Romania it is gaining ground as a result of EU CAP policies providing subsidies for this crop and supporting the growth of livestock. Alfalfa feed can be used in animal feed both during summer as a green meal and as hay during the period of stabulation. The quality of alfalfa seed influences the degree of consumability and indirectly the animal health and the level and quality of animal products. Factors affecting the quality of alfalfa meal include soil fertility, plant growth and development conditions, variety, degree of bathing, harvesting, hay handling and storage. However, the harvesting stage is the most impact factor in the management of lucerne cultivation. As alfalfa plants grow from the vegetative to the generative stage, the lignite content is increased and the protein percentage is reduced, digestibility, metabolizable energy and good animal yield is reduced. In this context, the purpose of this work is to benchmark the production of alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa L.) in the second year of cultivation in three experimental sites. The experiences were organized in three experimental sites from the municipalities: Timişoara (Timis County), Vinga (Arad County) and Vintu de Jos (Alba County). The same technological links of culture have been respected. The harvest, on the seesy, was carried out when 10 % of the plants were flowering. Research results show differences in hay production in the areas analyzed. The largest production of alfalfa hay was obtained on the experimental site at the Vintu de Jos, where the soil and climatic conditions favored the yield. In all the studied areas, four scythes have been observed in alfalfa since the second year of cultivation. This is unusual in Romania's climate conditions, the fourth scythe is harvested in October 2019. In conclusion, climate variables: temperature and precipitation are increasing the vegetation season in alfalfa and made a difference in hay production in the areas analyzed.

alfalfa hay production, cultural technology

field crops and pastures

Presentation: poster