LYRA

Lyra – a variety of Sudan grass (Sorghum xdrummondii), obtained by recurrent selection in mutant offspring of the Kinel'skoe 3×Brodskaya 2 hybrid. The plant is erect, up to 300 cm tall, with a cylindrical stem covered by a weak waxy bloom that turns straw-colored at maturity. Leaves are broad-linear, juicy, up to 60 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, also having a slight waxy layer. Bushiness is moderate – from two to fifteen productive stems per plant.

The variety is distinguished by high yield of both green mass and seeds. In the first cut, average yield is about 273 c/ha (up to 440 c/ha), in the second – 100 c/ha (up to 130 c/ha). Over two cuts, total production reaches 373 c/ha, exceeding the standards of Novosibirskaya84 and Kinel'skaya100. Seed yield is approximately 27 c/ha, higher than similar varieties.

Lyra possesses resistance to drought, spring frosts, and powdery head smut. At the same time, the plant does not lodge and is suitable for mechanized harvesting. The vegetative period from germination to maturity is about 100 days. Due to high protein content (≈11.8%) and rich nutritional value (sugar, vitamins, minerals), Sudan grass Lyra is widely used as a forage crop for cattle, horses, sheep, and other animals. It can be used fresh, as well as processed into silage or hay; up to five cuts can be made in one season, allowing to harvest over 1000 centners of grass per hectare.