Medicago Sativa
FF 54VS73
Fall Dormancy: 4
Winter Hardiness: 2
Disease Rating Index: 33/35
StandFast FastGrowth Rating: 1.84cm/Day-Avg
54VS73 Hi-Salt Alfalfa is a salinity-tolerant variety developed by DLF to help producers maintain alfalfa productivity in challenging soil conditions. Salinity naturally builds up in low-rainfall agricultural regions when soluble salts accumulate in the root zone, reducing germination and yield. Soils with an EC (Electrical Conductivity) of 4.0 can cause up to 35% seedling mortality and a 15% yield loss, with yields declining further as salinity increases. Through advanced breeding, DLF has developed varieties that effectively offset the impact of 2.0 to 3.0 EC points, helping minimize losses in moderately saline fields. The new 54VS73 Hi-Salt variety delivers industry-leading salt tolerance, with germination performance approximately 60% better than competitor check varieties in saline soils. It offers no yield drag in non-saline conditions and is ideally suited for the Great Plains and Intermountain West, where high-EC soils or irrigation water can significantly limit alfalfa production.
Key features
- New "Hi-Salt" variety with unmatched industry performing salt tolerance when planted in tough soils
- Germination performance is 60% better overall compared to industry and competitor check variety thresholds
- No yield drag when planted in non-saline soils
- Positions best in Great Plains and Intermountain West where salinity can limit production due to high EC fields or high EC irrigation water