From official, verified sources about goat's rue, a grass for fodder crops, and its use by humans, you can find out that this is a plant of the genus Galega, which is divided into several species. In Russia, medicinal and oriental varieties grow most often. Also found in the steppes, along rivers or streams in Ukraine and Moldova. Next, we will consider in detail the beneficial properties of the plant and its use in medicine.
Description and medicinal properties
Goat's rue is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 50-80 centimeters. The root is weak, tap-type. The stems are straight, the leaves look typical of legumes, they are imparipinnate.During the growing season, the plant is dotted with many light blue or pale purple inflorescences that make up small brushes. The fruits are small, up to 4 centimeters in size. They resemble beans in appearance.
Under natural conditions it grows in Europe (southern, central, eastern parts), Italy (west and south). Often used as fodder for domestic animals. The flowering period occurs in July-August, fruit ripening in August-September. Since flowering is extended over time, and the inflorescences themselves look nice, goat's rue can be used in garden decoration. The name of the plant implies its purpose: the word form “Galega” is formed from “gala” - milk and “agein” - what leads to stimulation of lactation.
Currently, goat's rue has found use in folk medicine as a proven diaphoretic, diuretic and lactation-promoting agent. It is believed that eating parts of the plant improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and eliminates stagnation and constipation in the intestines.
Modern doctors prescribe galega for diabetes mellitus as a hypoglycemic drug, mainly in the form of an alcohol tincture. In agriculture, it is used as feed, stimulating an increase in milk yield in goats and cows, and for weight gain in pigs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of course, interest in the plant is justified by its obvious advantages, the possibility of use in various areas of the household, as a medicinal product, including for livestock feed. The benefits of goat's rue include:
- Winter hardiness, general unpretentiousness.The plant is drought-resistant, although sensitive to watering. Can grow on poor soils, loams. Does not require additional care or fertilizing.
- High yield. On average, up to 30-60 (maximum 128) centners of green mass are collected from 1 hectare. Seed yield is up to 5 centners per hectare.
- Nutritional value. Contains up to 42.% proteins, up to 30.% fiber, up to 27.% protein. Alkaloids are present in small quantities (traces in hay, up to 0.2% in seeds).
- Possibility of long-term cultivation. It is believed that goat's rue can grow in one place for up to 20 years! This is a ready-made pasture, a source of highly nutritious fodder for animals for a long period of time, which makes its cultivation more profitable than the cultivation of other crops.
- Value for beekeepers. Goat's rue is a well-known honey plant, and an early one at that. From 1 hectare you can get up to 100 kilograms of the finished product.
But, along with the advantages, there are also disadvantages. The plant is light-loving and can respond to this factor. The declared frost resistance in reality is most often expressed in susceptibility to late frosts and damage to the leaves. The most suitable soils are weakly acidic, not waterlogged, and with a good balance of organic matter.
Despite all the listed disadvantages of the goat's rue, there are still many more advantages, which justifies planting it in the garden or in the pasture.
Growing technology
Many agricultural technicians, livestock breeders and hobbyists focus on the simplicity of cultivating goat's rue. The only problem is that before sowing the seeds, they need to be scarified. Each seed has a fairly hard shell. To speed up the germination process, it must be artificially destroyed.At home, when planting small amounts of plants on hay for medicinal purposes, the seeds are rubbed with sandpaper. On an industrial scale, special machines are used for this (a concrete mixer can be used).
The best period for sowing is early spring. No specific care measures or soil preparation are required. Regarding soils, it is generally accepted that goat's rue will grow steadily everywhere. But fertile, with good permeability and slightly acidic ones are still better suited. It is also recommended to plant galega where winter crops previously grew.
Please note that seeds after scarification require immediate sowing. Otherwise, they quickly lose their properties. Under average conditions, goat's rue usually grows without any problems within 2 years.
Sowing rate of goat's rue per 1 ha
As a result of scientific work, it was possible to establish the optimal number of goat's rue seeds for planting. It is 2-3 million fully prepared, with guaranteed germination, seed per 1 hectare. In this case, row spacing of up to 60 centimeters is maintained. On an industrial scale, it is recommended to combine planting with subsequent sowing (late July-early August) of boneless brome.
How to feed goats correctly
Green grass mass is an excellent source for creating feed that is used in raising cattle, horses, pigs, and goats. During the budding period of goat's rue, grass flour and pressed briquettes are prepared from it. When flowering occurs, the plant goes to make hay and store it in silage pits.
Goats willingly eat the stems and the mass of the plant; it is enough to simply pick or chop the goat's rue into small pieces.Research shows that dry food is digestible up to 80%, which is incredible. Combination with other types of feed requires preliminary clarification from specialists. Do not forget that legumes and beets lead to bloating and flatulence in animals.
