Prospects for the introduction of Symphytum asperuminto the Far North of the Russian Federation

Abstract

Background.The choice of crops with greater adaptability to the environments of the Northern Region and higher yield of dry matter per hectare, rich in protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, sugars, carotene, and trace elements, would solve the problem of providing livestock with highquality feeds.Materials and methods.The object of the study was rough comfrey (Symphytum asperumLepech.). The research was carried out in the experimental field of the N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research in Kotlas from 2006 to 2019 using generally accepted techniques. The soils were sod-podzolic loams. Planting of S. asperumwas carried out with cuttings (4–5 pieces per 1 m2) in May 2006. The record plot area was 5 m2, the number of replications was three, and the arrangement of variants was regular.The nutritional value of the introduced plant was compared with that of red clover (cv. ‘Prior’) in the biochemical laboratory in a NIR SCANNER 4250 infrared analyzer, calculated for 1 kg of dry matter.Results.Successful introduction of rough comfrey (S. asperum) into the subarctic zone of the European North of Russia from its natural gene pool was assessed on the basis of a study of economically useful traits with the purpose of its possible utilization in agricultural production. This species was seen to pass through the entire cycle of ontogenesis, which is the evidence of a high degree of adaptation to the conditions of the region. The introduced species is characterized by high winter hardiness, good aftermath yield, early-spring regrowth, stable productivity, resistance to diseases and pests, and high nutritional value of the feed.