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| ## SAINFOIN {#sainfoin .Title-Header}                                 |
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| *Onobrychis viciifolia* Scop.                                         |
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| Plant Symbol = ONVI                                                   |
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Contributed by: Aberdeen Plant Materials Center and NRCS Idaho State
Office

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.990972222222222in"
height="3.9895833333333335in"}

Figure 1. Mature sainfoin in flower.

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*Onobrychis sativa* Lam., *Onobrychis viciaefolia* Scop., *Hedysarum
onobrychis* L., holy clover

**Uses**

##### *Hay/pasture*: Sainfoin is an introduced non-bloat causing legume which can be used as hay, or grazed in pastures alone or in a grass-legume mix. It is often grown as a mix with Russian wildrye or crested wheatgrass or Siberian wheatgrass. It is also commonly included in a mixed blend of sainfoin, meadow brome and birdsfoot trefoil and/or orchardgrass.  {#haypasture-sainfoin-is-an-introduced-non-bloat-causing-legume-which-can-be-used-as-hay-or-grazed-in-pastures-alone-or-in-a-grass-legume-mix.-it-is-often-grown-as-a-mix-with-russian-wildrye-or-crested-wheatgrass-or-siberian-wheatgrass.-it-is-also-commonly-included-in-a-mixed-blend-of-sainfoin-meadow-brome-and-birdsfoot-trefoil-andor-orchardgrass. .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Sainfoin is highly palatable to sheep and cattle and is preferred over alfalfa. Long-term sainfoin dry matter yields range from around 20 to 30% less than those of alfalfa. First cut hay yields are often greater than those for alfalfa but later cuttings commonly yield less than alfalfa (Baldridge and Lohmiller 1990). Sainfoin is well suited to haying due to its upright growth habit. Regrowth is poor however and it is recommended to be cut once/season at the half- to full-bloom stage. Protein quality for sainfoin is around 68 compared to 71 for alfalfa out of a possible score of 100 for an "ideal protein" (Kaldy et al 1979). Sainfoin is also not susceptible to alfalfa weevil. {#sainfoin-is-highly-palatable-to-sheep-and-cattle-and-is-preferred-over-alfalfa.-long-term-sainfoin-dry-matter-yields-range-from-around-20-to-30-less-than-those-of-alfalfa.-first-cut-hay-yields-are-often-greater-than-those-for-alfalfa-but-later-cuttings-commonly-yield-less-than-alfalfa-baldridge-and-lohmiller-1990.-sainfoin-is-well-suited-to-haying-due-to-its-upright-growth-habit.-regrowth-is-poor-however-and-it-is-recommended-to-be-cut-onceseason-at-the-half--to-full-bloom-stage.-protein-quality-for-sainfoin-is-around-68-compared-to-71-for-alfalfa-out-of-a-possible-score-of-100-for-an-ideal-protein-kaldy-et-al-1979.-sainfoin-is-also-not-susceptible-to-alfalfa-weevil. .Header-3}

##### *Rangeland*: Sainfoin is preferred over alfalfa by mule deer and other wildlife. It matures earlier in the spring than alfalfa and stays green during the summer (Stevens and Monsen 2004). Its large, deep tap root also makes this species fairly drought tolerant. High protein, high palatability and its non-bloat characteristic make it a good choice for range improvement for livestock or wildlife. The foliage is readily eaten by elk, deer and sage grouse, and the seed is eaten by many other birds and rodents. {#rangeland-sainfoin-is-preferred-over-alfalfa-by-mule-deer-and-other-wildlife.-it-matures-earlier-in-the-spring-than-alfalfa-and-stays-green-during-the-summer-stevens-and-monsen-2004.-its-large-deep-tap-root-also-makes-this-species-fairly-drought-tolerant.-high-protein-high-palatability-and-its-non-bloat-characteristic-make-it-a-good-choice-for-range-improvement-for-livestock-or-wildlife.-the-foliage-is-readily-eaten-by-elk-deer-and-sage-grouse-and-the-seed-is-eaten-by-many-other-birds-and-rodents. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

*Pollinators*: Sainfoin blossoms produce copious amounts of nectar and
are highly attractive to pollinating insects, particularly honey bees
(Pellett 1947) in May through July (Ogle et al 2007). Pollen is also
produced in abundance. Honey made from sainfoin is reported to be of the
finest quality (Dubbs 1967).

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Fabaceae (Legume family). Sainfoin is a deep-rooted perennial
legume arising from a branching root crown. Flowers are showy and pink,
white or purple and tightly arranged in a compact raceme with 20 to 50
flowers per head (figure 1). Leaves are odd-pinnately compound with 11
to 21 leaflets. Sainfoin typically grows taller than alfalfa reaching 8
to 36 inches tall. The seeding unit is a single-seeded pod (figure 2).
Seeds are large with only 18,500 (pre-husked) seeds per pound (USDA
2008). 2n=28 (Welsh et al 2003).

*Distribution*: Sainfoin has been used as a forage legume for hundreds
of years in Europe and Asia and was introduced to North America around
1900. It has since been widely used in the Intermountain and Rocky
Mountain regions in hay plantings and reclamation plantings (Welsh et al
2003).

For current distribution, consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.990972222222222in"
height="2.2916666666666665in"}

Figure 2. Sainfoin fruit (pod) each contains a single seed. Picture
courtesy of Tracey Slotta @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database (USDA 2008).

*Habitat*: Sainfoin can be found in western rangeland sites in 14 inch
and greater precipitation areas. It is often associated with big
sagebrush and mountain shrub communities in well-drained calcareous
soils.

*Adaptation*: Early varieties from Western Europe did not perform well
in the western United States. The plants were poorly adapted and had low
forage yields. Newer varieties from Russia and Turkey however are better
suited to western climates and perform similarly to alfalfa. (Baldridge
and Lohmiller 1990).

Sainfoin is best adapted to soils at least 18 inches deep with a pH of
6.6 to 8.0 (USDA 2008). It is best adapted to sites receiving at least
14 inches mean annual precipitation (MAP). Rangeland plantings have been
successful in sagebrush, pinyon-juniper and mountain shrub areas in
deep, calcium based soils (Stevens and Monsen 2004). Sainfoin has low
salt tolerance.

Sainfoin does not do well in sites with high water tables or wet soils.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

##### Sainfoin can be planted in the spring or fall. Seeding depth should be between 0.25 and 0.75 inches. All seed should be inoculated with the appropriate rhizobium prior to planting. Full seeding rate for pasture plantings is 34 lb/ac. Seed 2 to 5 lb/ac when used as a component of a rangeland mix. Sainfoin should not be mixed with aggressive grass species; consider alternate row planting (Ogle et al 2008). {#sainfoin-can-be-planted-in-the-spring-or-fall.-seeding-depth-should-be-between-0.25-and-0.75-inches.-all-seed-should-be-inoculated-with-the-appropriate-rhizobium-prior-to-planting.-full-seeding-rate-for-pasture-plantings-is-34-lbac.-seed-2-to-5-lbac-when-used-as-a-component-of-a-rangeland-mix.-sainfoin-should-not-be-mixed-with-aggressive-grass-species-consider-alternate-row-planting-ogle-et-al-2008. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Do not graze for two seasons after planting. Stands should be allowed to
naturally reseed every 2 to 3 years for reestablishment. Stands will
persist 3 to 6 years under irrigation but will last longer if root and
crown rot diseases are controlled. Some plantings in Montana have
survived for over 60 years and are still used for pasture (Dubbs 1967).
Sainfoin should not be planted next to shelterbelts because trees and
shrubs will suffer from browsing by deer and elk (Stannard 2002).

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Although sainfoin is resistant to many alfalfa related pests, long-term
stand survival is limited in irrigated or wet conditions due to root and
crown rot diseases (Morrill et al 1998). These root pathogens enter the
plant through scars created by root-feeding insects, especially weevils.
Control of these insects decreases tap root disease occurrence and
increases the longevity of the stand.

Use of sainfoin has been limited largely due to high establishment
costs. The large seed, high seeding rate and high seed prices often
reduce interest in using this species.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

Sainfoin has been widely used in reclamation and range enhancement
seedings throughout the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and Intermountain
West and has become naturalized in some locations. It is not considered
weedy or invasive, but may spread under ideal conditions via seed.

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

##### The first seed crop can be harvested the second year after establishment. Seed yields can be as high as 1000 lb/acre under irrigated conditions. Under dryland conditions, seed yields are rarely more than 200 pounds per acre.  {#the-first-seed-crop-can-be-harvested-the-second-year-after-establishment.-seed-yields-can-be-as-high-as-1000-lbacre-under-irrigated-conditions.-under-dryland-conditions-seed-yields-are-rarely-more-than-200-pounds-per-acre. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Seed should be harvested when seed moisture is \<40% or when seed is beginning to shatter. Seed shatter can be a problem with this species and seed can be harvested by swathing followed by combining after 2 to 5 days of drying. {#seed-should-be-harvested-when-seed-moisture-is-40-or-when-seed-is-beginning-to-shatter.-seed-shatter-can-be-a-problem-with-this-species-and-seed-can-be-harvested-by-swathing-followed-by-combining-after-2-to-5-days-of-drying. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

New types of sainfoin have been developed in the

U.S. and in Canada. Sainfoin breeding programs have selected for
increased disease resistance, improved nodulation and nitrogen fixation,
and increased dryland (single-cut) and irrigated (multi-cut) yields.

*'Eski'* was released by Montana State University in 1964 and is the
most common sainfoin used in western rangelands. It has performed well
in pinyon-juniper, mountain big sagebrush, and mountain brush areas.
Eski was selected from seed from Eskisehire, Turkey that survived severe
winters at Sidney, Montana. The seed increased from these hardy plants
was designated as breeder seed. Eski is recommended for dryland pasture
hay in areas receiving at least 14 inches of precipitation or on
irrigated land. Eski yields only one to two cuttings per season.

*'Melrose'* was released in Canada in 1971 by the Canada Department of
Agriculture in Lethbridge. Melrose showed higher forage yields, seed
yields and greater winter hardiness than Eski (Cooke et al 1971).
Melrose is recommended for dryland hay or pasture and irrigated hay
production in the Prairie Province region. Breeder seed is maintained by
the Canada Department of Agriculture Research Stations at Melfort and
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

*'Nova'* was released at Lethbridge by Agriculture Canada in 1980 from a
Russian seed source. Nova is more vigorous and taller than Melrose, Eski
and Remont. Regrowth is comparable to Melrose and Eski but slower than
Remont (Hanna 1981). Nova has greater forage yields and winter hardiness
than other varieties. Certified seed is maintained by SeCan Association,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

'*Remont'* was released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station
in 1971, and was developed from plants from Iran exhibiting rapid
regrowth. Remont is recommended for two-or-three-cutting areas for hay
and pasture. Remont and Eski produce similar annual yields, but Remont
has higher yield potential under irrigation and in areas with a longer
growing season. Remont begins growth earlier in the spring than Eski and
regrows more rapidly after cutting than other varieties.

*'Renumex'* is a New Mexico State University release made in 1979 from
plants selected from Remont. The variety was developed by the New Mexico
Agricultural Experiment Station in 1979 for rapid regrowth under the
hot, dry conditions of the

##### Southwest.  {#southwest. .Header-3}

*'Shoshone'* was developed and released for a high tolerance to northern
root-knot nematode when compared to 'Remont'. Shoshone was jointly
released in 2006 by the College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment
Stations at the University of Wyoming, Montana State University and the
USDA-NRCS. Foundation seed is maintained by the University of Wyoming,
Seed Certification Service in Powell, Wyoming.

'*Delaney'* or UWRD is soon to be jointly released by the Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station and Wyoming Agricultural Experiment
Station. Delaney was developed from surviving plants of a 25 year old
planting near Laramie, Wyoming. The original plants in that field
included plants of Eski, Remont and multiple experimental accessions
(precise percentages of each line are unknown). Delaney was developed to
be a multiple-cut sainfoin with significantly higher yields than
Shoshone, Remont and Eski. Third cut yields were also higher than those
of Remont, Eski and Shoshone. Foundation seed will be maintained by the
Foundation Seed Programs of Montana and Wyoming.

##### References {#references .Header-3}

Baldridge, D.E. and R.G. Lohmiller., ed. 1990. Montana Interagency Plant
Materials Handbook. Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. 337p.

Cash, D., Ditterline, R. and D. Johnson. 2006. Sainfoin making a
comeback. Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. 4p.

Cooke, D.A., Hanna, M.R. and B.P. Goplen. 1971. Registration of Melrose
sainfoin. Crop Science 11: 603.

Dubbs, A.L. 1967. Sainfoin: a new honey crop for Montana. American Bee
Journal. 107:18-19.

Hanna, R.R. 1981. Registration of Nova sainfoin. Crop Science 21: 987.

Kaldy, M.S., Hanna, M.R. and S. Smoliak. 1979. Amino acid composition of
sainfoin forage.\
Grass and Forage Science 34 (2) 145--148.

Morrill, W. L., R. L. Ditterline, et al. 1998. Insect pests and
associated root pathogens of sainfoin in western USA. Field Crops
Research 59(2): 129-134.

Ogle, D., L. St. John, M. Stannard, and L. Holzworth. 2008. Grass,
Grass-Like, Forb, Legume and Woody Species for the Intermountain West.
Natural Resources Conservation Service. Boise, Idaho. Idaho Technical
Note No. 24. 43p.

Ogle, D., Cane, J., Fink, F., St. John, L., Stannard, M., and T. Dring.
2007. Plants for pollinators in the Intermountain West. Natural
Resources Conservation Service. Boise, Idaho. Idaho Technical Note No.
2. 21p.

Pellett, F. C. 1947. American honey plants, 4th ed. Orange Judd Publ.
Co., Inc., New York.

Stannard, M. 2002. Sainfoin. USDA-NRCS Plant Fact Sheet. Pullman,
Washington. 2p.

Stevens, R. and S.B. Monsen. 2004. Forbs for seeding range and wildlife
habitats. In: S.B. Monsen, R. Stevens, and N.L. Shaw \[compilers\].
Restoring western ranges and wildlands. USDA Forest Service, Rocky
Mountain Research Station. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136-vol-2.,
Fort Collins, Colorado. p. 425-466.

USDA NRCS. 2008. The PLANTS Database
([http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/), 22 February 2008).
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

Welsh, S. L., N. D. Atwood, S. Goodrich and L. C. Higgins. 2003. *A Utah
Flora*. Brigham Young University Press, Provo, Utah. 912 p.

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Derek Tilley, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, ID

Dan Ogle, USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, ID

Loren St. John, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, ID

##### Species Coordinator {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

Dan Ogle, USDA NRCS Idaho State Office, Boise, ID

##### Edited: 030508djt; 030408 lsj; 030508 dgo; 080313 jsp {#edited-030508djt-030408-lsj-030508-dgo-080313-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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