Shatilovskaya 5 is a buckwheat variety bred by the Federal Scientific Center for Leguminous and Cereal Crops. It is distinguished by its large grain, with a 1000-grain mass ranging from 24 to 27 grams. The variety's vegetative period ranges from 79 to 94 days, enabling high yields between 9.9 and 20.7 centners per hectare. The variety demonstrates good drought and dry wind resistance, making it suitable for cultivation in various climatic zones, including the Central Black Earth Region, the Volga Region, the North Caucasus, the South of the Non-black Soil Region, Western Siberia, as well as Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
Buckwheat, to which the Shatilovskaya 5 variety belongs, is an annual herbaceous plant of the Polygalaceae family, reaching heights of 0.5 to 1.2 meters. The plant forms 8-10 lateral shoots, and the stems acquire a reddish hue during ripening. Buckwheat leaves are simple, alternate, heart-shaped-triangular in form with a characteristic dry membranous spathe sheathing the stem. Flowers are small, bisexual, white or pinkish-white, gathered in shield-like inflorescences. Each flower lives for one day and contains eight stamens and eight exposed nectaries, making buckwheat an important source of nectar.
Buckwheat is a valuable nectar-producing plant widely used in beekeeping in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The flowers release a significant amount of nectar, enabling the production of buckwheat honey with a characteristic dark amber color, strong floral aroma, and sweet, sharp taste. Buckwheat honey is distinguished by its high content of microelements, enzymes, and amino acids, surpassing light honey varieties in these metrics, and possesses excellent therapeutic properties. Optimal conditions for nectar secretion include an average daily temperature of about 19-30 °C and sufficient rainfall. Buckwheat also contributes to maintaining bee colonies during the autumn period due to its long nectar collection period.
