Galega

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Galega |
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Materials of this chapter were published in the books 'Biological
product Albit for yield increase and plant protection: trials, recommendations,
results of application' edited by member of the Academy V.G. Mineev. All-Russian
Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection, Ministry of Agriculture
of the Russian Federation, 2009, and 'Biostimulant Albit
for increasing of yield and protection of crops,' A.K. Zlotnikov, edited
by Prof. À. Mel’kumova. All-Russia Institute of Plant
Protection, Russia, 2006.
Galega
(Galega orientalis Lam.) is very prospective fodder crop. It
belongs to family Fabaceae, genus Galega (Galega L.). There
are 8 species in the genus. In Russia, this plant is known as Rutevka, Galega,
Goat Ruta, Forest Solodyanka. There are two species of galega. In the forest
zone of the Caucasus: G. orientalis Lam. and G. officinalis L.
They are used for animal feeding. G. orientalis Lam. is more valuable,
because it does not contain alkaloids like G. officinalis L.
According to data of the Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, the most effective
method for using of galega is 2-3-fold mowing at the budding stage or 2-fold
mowing at the flowering stage. Alternation of mowing and seed usage each 1-2
years allows to restore herbage and prolongate its productive longevity. G.
orientalis Lam. gives the earliest spring food for livestock, while clover
and alfalfa only begin to intensive grow. A long-term vegetation, possibility
for using of herbage until late autumn, good regrowth, a high energy of sprout
generation – all this make galega indispensable for usage in green conveyor.
A high productivity of galega is combined with a high nutritional value: there
are 20-21 fodder units in 100 kg of green mass, 57-58 fodder units in 100 kg
of hay, in the aboveground part of plants – 16-25% of protein content. 1 fodder
unit has 175-216 g of raw protein.
Nowadays, problem of livestock feed with a high protein content is still actual.
Traditional leguminous crops such as alfalfa and clover, unfortunately, are
prone to thinning, and after 3-4 years of usage, their productivity is significantly
reduced. At the same time, fields with galega can be used for 10-15 years without
thinning, since necessary plant density is ensured due to root suckers. So,
galega plants can displaces all other plant species, especially weeds.
Studies of the All-Russia Research Institute of Vegetable Breeding and Seed
Production have shown that conditions in the most agricultural areas of Russia
are favorable for cultivation of galega in the Non-Chernozem Zone, Volga-Vyatka
and Ural regions, Western and Eastern Siberia, Far East and North Caucasus.
In recent years, this crop is increasingly being used in countries of European
Union, foreign Asia and North America.
Galega grows in the same areas as clover and alfalfa. In connection with
recent events in Russia, a lot of empty arable lands appeared in our country.
Also, lack of organic and mineral fertilizers leads to decreasing the soil
fertility. The high price of combined feed for livestock leads to a rise in
price of livestock products. At the same time, the cultivation of galega allows
to have a long-term functioning pastures for livestock.
Currently, the number of protectants for galega is extremely limited in
comparison with other crops: two plant growth regulators and no fungicide
are registered on galega in Russia.
Albit is one of few product registered in Russia. It has a high efficacy
as a plant
growth regulator of galega. Albit increases the field germination,
activates growth and development, accelerates regrowth after mowing, increases
plant resistance to unfavorable conditions of environment, provides the defense
against plant diseases, increases the green mass yield, improves the product
quality.
Application recommendations. It is recommended presowing
seed treatment (70 mL/t) and one fold foliar
spraying at the budding stage (BBCH 30-50,
40 mL/hà). To enhance regrowth after mowing, Albit may be applied for spraying
for 7 days after mowing.
On galega, Albit has been tested since 2001 in field trials
in Vladimir (Fig. 1), Moscow and other regions of Russia. Field trials were
conducted in All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection, Vladimir Plant Protection
Station, and also in other institutes and farms.

Fig. 1. Field of galega treated with Albit (Vladimir oblast, 2004)
According to results of field trials, treatment of galega with Albit increased yield
of green mass by 1.96 t/ha (12.4%), increased yield of seeds by
0.04 t/ha (16.2%). Presowing seed treatment with Albit increased germination
of galega seeds by 8–13%, height of plants by 5–10 cm, plant density by 10%,
increased regrowth of plants after mowing by 14.1–34%. The treatment with
Albit allows to significantly increase the productivity of old-growth galega
plants (data of Vladimir Plant Protection Station, 2004).
According to all conducted trials, Albit application on galega:
- increases seed germination;
- enhances the regrowth of plants after mowing;
- allows to significantly increase the productivity of old-growth galega
plants.
In the following Table, you may see reports on performance of Albit on
galega. For all available reports, please see corresponding table on Russian
webpage
¹ |
Year |
Country |
Region |
Institute / Farm |
Report |
1. |
2003 |
Russia |
Moscow region |
All-Russia Institute of Vegetable Selection
and Seed Breeding |
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2. |
2001 |
Russia |
Moscow region |
All-Russia Institute of Vegetable Selection
and Seed Breeding |
 |
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