Agroecological assessment of Sudan grass cultivars and new hybrid populations of Bashkir selection

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of research is to evaluate Sudan grass cultivars in terms of phenotypic plasticity and yield stability in changing environmental conditions. Research methods. The article presents the data of the research conducted in conditions of the Cis-Ural steppe of the Bashkortostan Republic in 2016–2019. 12 Sudan grass cultivars and hybrid populations, selected in the Bashkir Research Institute of Agriculture, being of varied ripeness, were studied for yielding capacity, stability, and plasticity. Weather conditions in the years of research on temperature and water regimes were different. That made it possible to evaluate the lines in contrasting conditions of cultivation. Results. The most adaptive varieties for forage cultivation were identified: Demskaya variety and populations 285, 318 and 395 with a regression coefficient bi close and equal to one, are characterized as plastic; populations 392, 400, 446/2 are responsive to better growing conditions and characterized as intensive – bi > 1. When cultivated for seeds, population 318 is defined as plastic, while Smena, Demskaya, Chishminskaya rannyaya, Yaktash cultivars, populations 276, 285, 392, 446/2 and 395 are responsive to improved growing conditions and identified as intensive. The best populations according to the comprehensive assessment of varieties for dry matter yield, plasticity and stability are: 400 (yield 69.7 c/ha; plasticity – 1.1; stability – 40.5) and 395 (69.2 c/ha; 1.0; 36.4, respectively). Populations 358 (yield 29.6 c/ha; plasticity – 1.0; stability – 5.2) and 318 (28.1 c/ha; 0.9; 4.2, respectively) were recognized as the best Sudan grass cultivars and populations in terms of seed productivity, plasticity and stability, Scientific novelty. The article collects and presents the materials of many years of the study on Sudan grass phenotypic plasticity and stability.