Selection of alfalfa variegated on creation of intensive varieties with high fodder productivity: results and prospects

Abstract

The research was conducted in 2019-2023 in Belgorod region to assess the dry matter (DM) yield of breeding samples of alfalfa variegated, obtained by repeated selection of biotypes with high fertility in the year of sowing («juvenile samples» - JS-samples), in comparison with the original breeding varieties to select the best ones. Soil - typical chernozem with humus content (according to Tyurin) - 4.8 %, pHsol.- 6.6, P2O5 and K2O content (according to Chirikov) - 122 and 180 mg/kg, respectively. The research was carried out in three plots (2019-2023) with a randomised arrangement of plots, the repetition was fivefold. The plots were double rowed with a length of 3.5 m and row spacing width of 30 cm. Multiple selection from alfalfa varieties (Belgorodskaya 86, Krasnoyaruzskaya 1, Krasnoyaruzskaya 2) resulted in the creation of JS-samples: B-86 JS, K-1 JS and K-2 JS, which differed from the original varieties by rapid development in the first years of life. JS-samples surpassed the initial varieties by 32.1…36.0 % (p