Aviator is a new crested wheatgrass variety developed by selection at the Bashkir Scientific Research Institute of Agricultural Cultures of the Ufa Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Ufa Scientific Center RAS) and accepted for state variety testing. It is an erect bush with medium stem length, no pubescence, and a medium number of stems. The leaves are linear, medium length, green and soft, without a waxy coating. The ligule is round, the inflorescences are dense, bluish-green, and without stems. The seeds are lanceolate and light gray.
The variety is characterized by high yields of green mass (≈106 tons/hectare) and dry matter (≈38 tons/hectare), as well as good foliage and high-quality hay when harvested early. The vegetative period is 93 days, and the moisture content in the hay is about 40%. Aviator is resistant to trampling, drought, and winter-hardy conditions, as well as to main diseases and pests.
Since this is crested wheatgrass of the genus Agropyron, the plant is widely used to create cultivated and seeded meadows, pastures, and to improve soil structure. Due to its high digestible protein content and nutritive value, it is a valuable feed for livestock and a good predecessor for cereal crops.
