SLAVYANSKOYE POLE 18 is a medium-maturity hybrid of the sorghum-sudangrass type, created by crossing the sterile grain sorghum line ASP27 with the sudangrass variety Slavyanka. The plants are characterized by an upright and highly bushy stem with a very long stalk and a large number of leaves of medium length and width. Ear emergence is early; the panicle is wider at the lower part and also upright. Seeds are elliptical and brown, while the glumes turn brown upon maturity. The hybrid possesses high resistance to lodging and drought at the level of standards. The variety is intended for fodder use and demonstrates high yield of green mass and dry matter under various climatic conditions. Trials in different regions showed average green mass yield ranging from 53 to 518.6 c/ha and normalized dry matter from 25 to 207 c/ha. Protein content in green mass reaches 15.5%, while fiber content is about 29-31%. The hybrid is not affected by diseases and pests, ensuring crop stability and fodder product quality. Plants reach a height of 121 to 300 cm, have a thin, juicy stem with foliar coverage of 30-45%. Due to its agronomic characteristics and resistance to adverse conditions, SLAVYANSKOYE POLE 18 is recommended for cultivation in various regions with different soil and climate conditions. This makes it a universal and reliable choice for fodder production in agriculture.
