Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) – an annual leguminous plant widely used as a fodder crop due to its high protein and fiber content. Its green mass is used as feed for cattle, poultry, and fish, and also serves as a cover crop, improving soil structure and fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
Guar seeds are valued for their high nutritional value: Churi 40 flour contains about 40% protein, while Korma 50 and Korma 60 granular feeds contain 50% and 60%, respectively. Seed shells and embryos are used as a protein source in animal feeding. Thermal processing and enzyme addition reduce the impact of antinutritional factors, improving digestibility.
Guar gum is extracted from seed endosperm – a universal thickener used in the food, cosmetic, textile, paper, and oil industries. Demand for gum is growing both domestically and internationally, driving the development of new guar varieties.
In Russia, breeding of varieties adapted to local conditions is underway: they are characterized by early maturity, high yield, and high-quality gum. The VIR collection contains over 100 samples, including new variants obtained in 2014–2017. Domestic scientists confirm the possibility of growing guar in southern regions of Russia with good seed germination after long-term storage.
