Crested Wheatgrass KRASNOKUTSKY NARROW-EARED 305

The broomgrass variety 'Krasnokutsky narrow-eared 305' was developed at the Krasnokutsk experimental-station of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Breeding of the South-East and received official recognition in 1994. This polycross hybrid was obtained by crossing Kamyshinsky 135 with several paternal forms, including the variety 305 itself, Ural narrow-eared, Aktiubinsky 89, and Krasnokutsky 4. As a result of breeding, a desert type with a shrub form and an intermediate type of ear, 6-7 cm long, was formed. The awns have a light-green color, egg-shaped shape and contain from five to seven flowers in each ear.

The botanical characteristics of the variety include elongated-lanceolate seeds about 0.5 cm long and 0.1 cm wide. The growth period is approximately 50-55 days from the beginning of spring growth to hay mowing and 100-105 days to full seed ripeness. The variety is distinguished by high resistance to drought, heat and trampling by cattle, as well as unpretentiousness to soils. Green mass yield exceeds the standard by 16.1%, hay yield - by 16.8% and seeds - by 27.1%. Protein content in dry matter of hay is 10-12%, and feed palatability is high.

The main advantages of 'Krasnokutsky narrow-eared 305' lie in the combination of high productivity potential and excellent forage qualities. The variety provides a significant increase in the quality and quantity of hay per hectare, which makes it a valuable choice for farmers seeking to improve grazing efficiency under unfavorable climatic conditions. Due to drought and heat resistance, as well as the ability to withstand trampling, this variety is suitable for both intensive agricultural production and more moderate growing conditions.