ALTAYSKIY 23

Mogar «Altayskiy 23» is a tall, erect variety bred at the Altai Scientific Institute of Agriculture. Bushes are compact, 70–120 cm high, with 2‑4 stems per bush and 1‑2 productive ones. Stems are thin (3.5–4.5 mm), tend to branch, and leaves are linear, soft, positioned at an acute angle to the stem. Seeds are small, red, with a mass of 1,9–2.5 g for 1000 pieces, and a filminess of 18–20 %. The variety is distinguished by high cold resistance and good tolerance to air drought; under moist conditions, it may be suppressed by weeds.

The vegetative period lasts about 90–125 days. Growth from germination to budding takes 15–20 days, to flowering 49–55 days, and full ripening is achieved in 99–104 days. Green mass yield is approximately 19–20 t/ha, dry matter about 5.25 t/ha, and seeds nearly 2 t/ha. Forage value is high: at the flowering stage, the mass contains more than 11 % protein, and straw is rich in leafy part (30–35 %), ensuring good nutritional value.

The variety responds well to intensification – fertilizers and watering increase yield. It is suitable for cultivation in a wide range of regions: from northern to Far Eastern, including central, Urals, and Siberian zones. Mogar «Altayskiy 23» is widely used as a forage crop: green mass is used in summer for grazing, as well as for hay, straw, and silage preparation. Seeds are suitable as poultry feed and can be used as a grain crop.

Care for sowing includes weed control, inter-row processing, and application of mineral fertilizers. The variety responds to fertilizers and can be sown in post-mowing sowing. With proper care, a second cut after the first is possible, although growth after cutting is worse than with Sudan grass. For seed collection, the wax ripening stage or full ripening is recommended for direct combine harvesting.