Selection of festulolium for the steppe conditions of the Central Black Earth region

Abstract

In recent decades, a new fodder crop, festulolium, has become widespread in fodder production in Russia. (×Festulolium F. Aschers. et Graebn.).In this regard, an important task is the permanent creation of a line of varieties of festulolium, ensuring high efficiency of the use of this crop in various climatic and environmental conditions. Festulolium breeding has gained great importance in recent years as a means of combating climate change and increasing the efficiency of using perennial grasses to obtain high quality animal feed. The article presents material on the assessment of the initial material of festulolium in the steppe conditions of the Central Black Earth region. In recent years, 22 specimens have undergone a comprehensive assessment of festulolium in the collection and selection nurseries of the station. Of these, according to a complex of economically valuable traits, first of all - the productivity of green mass and seeds in arid conditions, 12 best were selected, which are further evaluated in order to create a new promising variety.