Kaspiain oatgrass – a narrow-panicked perennial grain fodder, grown in arid and steppe regions. The bush is erect, dense, with knobby stems at the base; moderate bushiness and foliage ensure stable growth on degraded pastures. Leaves have weak pubescence without a waxy coating, and the ligule is blunt and short.
The ear is loose to a medium degree, pressed to the stem; the ear leaf scales are wedge-shaped and glabrous. Crude protein content in dry matter is 13%, which is 10–15% higher than the average level for pasture varieties. 45% foliage allows for a higher yield of green mass – from 26 to 31 t/ha over three years.
The variety is characterized by high drought resistance, winter hardiness, and salt tolerance, making it suitable for growing under limited water supply conditions. It is resistant to desertification processes, promotes the formation of long-term agrophytocenoses on degraded pastures, and ensures a stable fodder flow for livestock. Thanks to high nutritional properties and good digestibility, the oatgrass 'Kaspiain' is a valuable component of diets in southern and steppe regions.
