Varieties and populations of variable alfalfa (Medicago varia T. Martyn.) of different genetic structures created for the Middle Volga region conditions

The purpose of the study is a comprehensive assessment of the developed varieties and populations of alfalfa (Medicago varia T. Martyn.) for the conditions of the Middle Volga Region. Objectives of the study: to evaluate the fodder and seed productivity of varieties of different genetic structure, created by methods applicable to fodder leguminous cross-pollinated grasses, capable of both generative and vegetative reproduction. The object of the study is 7 variety populations of alfalfa. The studies were carried out in the competitive variety testing of sowing in 2018 (KSI 2018) according to the Guidelines of the All-Russian Research Institute of Feeds. Weather conditions over the years of the experiment tended to increase the average daily and effective temperatures against the background of a decrease in moisture supply. In 2019-2020 the forage mass and seeds were recorded, the height of the herbage was measured, the foliage and chemical composition were determined. The green mass yield of the first cut was 25.0-31.1 t/ha. An excess of more than 10% was noted in three samples: Dark Green - 10.8 %, Population 8 and Population 13 by 11.9 %, and the highest in Population 24-19.6 %. In the second cut, the following distinguished themselves: Dark green (16.9 t/ha) and Population 13 (16.6) with an average yield of 15.83 t/ha. High protein samples were identified: Population 24-16.46 %, Population 8-16.43 and Dark Green - 16.25 %. It was revealed that the variety mixture Population 24, with a maximum yield of green mass for 2 mowings of 46.3 t/ha, gives a high seed yield of 469.0 kg/ha, exceeding st by 24.9 %. The highest seed yield of (507.0 kg/ha) was noted for the variety mixture Population 13, with a high fodder mass yield of 45.7 t/ha, which is 11.5 % higher than the standard. The formed varieties-populations are suitable for cultivation in the conditions of increasing drought in the Middle Volga Region.