Innovative achievements in alfalfa breeding and cultivation technologies in Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. To trace the way of formation and development of alfalfa cultivation technologies in Ukraine. To analyze innovative achievements in breeding this valuable fodder crop, in particular, at the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of NAAS. Methods are based on the general scientific principle of objectivity, which involves the analysis of events and phenomena based on scientific and critical thinking and the use of general scientific methods (monitoring, system analysis, economic-mathematical approach, statistical). Results. The historical conditions of introduction of alfalfa into the culture of Ukraine were studied, the analysis of innovative achievements of research institutions engaged in the creation of new varieties of this valuable fodder leguminous crop, improvement of technological methods of its cultivation, storage and use conditions was carried out. Evolutionary changes in alfalfa cultivation technologies in Ukraine are considered. Conclusions. Lucerne research in Ukraine has gone an evolutionary path from the imported and adapted to local conditions varieties to the modern synthetic intensive type ones with the account of the dormancy class and corresponding changes in technological approaches to its cultivation, taking into consideration its biological features, optimization of the nutrition system and the level of biological nitrogen fixation increase, integrated plant protection system. At the same time, the nutritional value of alfalfa fodder was improved significantly and ecological risks were minimized, the number of mowings in the budding phase increased to 4. Today, Ukraine has a significant number of innovative achievements in breeding this valuable feed crop. Varieties of domestic breeding make up 60% of the total number of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine included in the State Register. A significant place among them (20%) is occupied by alfalfa varieties created by breeders of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillia of the National Academy of Sciences.