• Nitrogen source (100-250 lb. N/ac)
  
• Biomass/organic matter source (Dry Matter: 4,000-8,000 lbs/ac/yr)
  
• Weed suppression
  
• Insectary plant
  
• Forage (bitter when green) or hay crop
  
• Tolerant of acid/low fertility soils
  
• Used in vineyards in California
  
  

Plant Highlights

• EXCELLENT for increasing organic matter and improving soil structure, for suppressing weeds
  
• VERY GOOD for quick growth and establishment
  
• GOOD for taking up & storing excess N, for providing erosion control, for animal grazing (production, nutritional quality & palatability)
  
• FAIR for providing lasting residue.
  
  

• Very good heat tolerance
  
• Very good drought tolerance
  
• Good shade tolerance
  
• Good flood tolerance
  
• Very good tolerance to low fertility
  
• pH range 6.0-8.0
  
  

• Drilled: Seed at 10-30 lb./A
• Broadcast: Seed at 30-60 lb./A
  

• Cultivars commonly recommended by the Hawai`i Natural Resources Conservation Service include: ‘Lana’ which is reported to be root knot nematode susceptible.
  
  

• Very good for loosening subsoil
  
• Good at releasing P and K
  
• Very good at loosening topsoil
  
  

• Fair for suppressing nematodes
  
• Fair for disease suppression
  
• Good allelopathic properties
  
• Excellent weed suppression
  
• Very good for attracting beneficial insects
  
  

• Fair trafficability
  
• Good establishment and growth for short windows
  
  

• Lana vetch has a climbing tendency that can become a problem in vineyards (grapevines and sprinklers) and young orchards. With regular monitoring and timely mowing, it can be easily managed. It is easy to cut or pull out.
  
• Lana vetch is aggressive and competes initially with the cash crop for moisture. Over time the cover crops improves moisture retention in the soil and this may become less of a problem.
  
• Lana vetch outcompetes weeds and has allelopathic benefits. Root exudates can reduce growth in some lettuces, peas and young grasses.
  
• Lana vetch attracts lady beetles, lacewings, minute pirate bugs and other beneficial insects.
  
• Lana vetch can be a host of Sclerotinia minor which causes lettuce drop (fungal disease of lettuce, basil and cauliflower).
  
  

• Tolerant of acid/low fertility soils
  
• Minimum broadcast seeding rates of 40-60 lbs. pure live seed/acre;
  
• Increase seeding rate to 60 lbs/A if incorporating early, to produce finer stemmed material that is easier to till into the soil, or if severe weed competition is expected;
  
• pH range from 4.5-7.0;
  
• Inoculant group: pea/vetch;
  
• Approximate growing time 90 days;
  
• Approximate dry matter yield 1.5 tons/acre;
  
• Approximate N content 73 lbs./T dry matter;
  
• Optimum planting period year round at elevations over 1500 ft.;
  
• Optimum planting period fall/winter at elevations below 1500 ft.