FORAGE CROPS SELECTION: PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

In the Breeding Center of V.R. Williams All-Russian Fodder Research Institute more than 150 varieties of forage plants have been created for 42 years. Of these, the most widespread 85 varieties cultivated in Russia are not inferior to the best foreign varieties in productivity and exceed them in hardiness, the edaphic resistance to acidity and salinity, and phytocoenotic compatibility in mixtures. The Trifolium pratense L. varieties VIK 7, tetraploid VIK, Altyn, Topaz, Rannii 2, Trio, Mars, and the T. repens L. varieties Yubileynii, VIK 70 are characterized by a precisely expressed ecological individuality, symbiotic activity and different maturing time. The Medicago L. new varieties Vega 87, Lada, Nakhodka, Pastbishchnaya 88, Lugovaya 67, Selena, Soleustoichivaya, with the dry matter yield at 12-14 t/ha in the Central non-Chernozem zone, possess various phytocenotic, edaphic, symbiotic properties. More than 40 new varieties of Bromopsis inermis Leys., Phleum pratense L., Festuca pratensis Huds, Dactylis glomerata L., Lolium perenne L., Poa pratensis L., providing yield of 1112 t/ha and above, are characterized by improved fodder quality and resistance to diseases. In recent years, the varieties of Vicia sativa L. and V. villosa Roth., high-resistant to environmental and phytocoenotic factors, are created for different use. The V. sativa L. varieties Lugovskaya 48, Uzunovskaya 91, Vera, and the V. villosa Roth. variety Lugovskaya express precocity and a reduced insistence to heat, especially during fruiting. For restoration of lost biodiversity and efficiency of the degraded pastures in arid areas of the Russian South, 18 new varieties of fodder xerohalophytes are created, particularly Barkhan, Dzhangar of Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad., Salang of Salsola orientalis S.G. Gmell., Nogana, Alsu of Camphorosma lessingii (Litv.), Favorite, Tulkin, Bar of Eurotia ceratoides (L.) C.A. Mey., etc. These varieties are widely used for restoration of deserted lands. With reference to perennial bean and cereal grasses, more than 25 breeding technologies are patented in the Russian Federation. Adaptive systems for seed reproduction and the «know-how» for growing perennial and annual grasses are offered. With regard to the achieved results and recent data of fundamental biology a new breeding paradigm is substantiated, based on biogeocenotic principles.