Reed canarygrass "Vityaz" is a high-yieldageage forage plant that is easy to grow in open fields as well as in containers on shallow areas of water bodies. The bush is upright with medium density, stems are of medium roughness, leaves are linear without pubescence, green with white or creamy stripes. The spikes are collected in dense, oat-like heads up to 20 cm long, and the inflorescence is an elongated panicle with a lilac-green hue.
"Vityaz" is distinguished by high yield of both hay and seeds. When harvested before flowering, hay retains good feed value for all types of livestock; with later harvesting it becomes coarse and less attractive to animals. The plant grows quickly – up to 8 cm per day – and can be used on pastures as well as in silage crops. With proper agronomic approach the plant reaches maturity in the second or third year and persists in the sward for five to six years.
The crop is resistant to drought, frost, and spring frosts, as well as demonstrates good resistance to pests and diseases. For sowing the broadcast method is recommended with a density of 14 kg/ha for pure sowing or 12 kg/ha in rows, and for seed crops – continuous sowing of 10 kg/ha. Seed burial depth is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm. Thanks to its versatility and high productivity "Vityaz" is a valuable resource for agricultural production of feeds.
