The grain millet variety «Quartet» is a mid-season multi-line composite developed based on the «Blagodatnoye» variety using lines-analogs possessing various genes of resistance to smut races. The vegetative period lasts 60-95 days, plant height ranges from 70 to 130 cm. Leaves are drooping, without anthocyanin pigmentation, the panicle is spreading and weakly drooping. The grain is red and round; the 1000-seed weight ranges from 6.5 to 8.5 g, while the unpolished kernel color is bright yellow, indicating high technological and culinary qualities of the variety.
«Quartet» is distinguished by stability against lodging, shattering, and drought at the level of the standard, ensuring yield stability under various conditions. Maximum grain yield reaches 71 c/ha, average yield is about 23.6 c/ha, exceeding that of standard varieties. Over the years of testing in the Central-Black Soil region, particularly in the Oryol region, the variety demonstrated high productivity and adaptability.
This variety is the first multi-line millet variety in Russia possessing high smut resistance due to the combination of Sph1, Sph2, Sph3, and Sph4 genes. This makes «Quartet» valuable for cultivation in the Central and Central-Black Soil regions of the country. The variety is recommended for use in agriculture due to the combination of high yield, resistance to adverse factors, and excellent grain qualities.
