Timothy grass 'Bilbo' is one of the regionalized varieties of cultivated timothy, distinguished by its high-quality forage and hardiness. The plant develops rapidly, reaching full maturity in the first year of life due to its powerful fibrous root system, primarily located in the upper soil horizons. The variety is characterized by good adaptation to different climatic conditions and resistance to diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and septoria.
Hay yield reaches 75 centners per hectare with a content of 48–50 kilowatt-hours in one centner. In green mass, yield can reach up to 400 centners, and absolute dry matter – from 70 to 90 centners. Seeds of 'Bilbo' are formed in a quantity of 4–6 centners per hectare at a sowing rate of 12–15 kilograms in pure stands and 4–8 kilograms in grass mixtures. The variety grows well on floodplain, podzolic soils of medium mechanical composition and on heavy clay loams.
Timothy grass 'Bilbo' requires moderate moisture: optimal seed germination temperature is 20–30 °C, and growth can start at temperatures of 2–3 °C. Soil moisture should be 65–75% of half-wave moisture. The variety is resistant to flooding for 20–30 days, but is the least drought-resistant of cultivated timothy grasses and poorly tolerates dry periods, especially seedlings are sensitive to them. For successful cultivation, it is recommended to use an agro-technical system with preliminary sowing (winter rye, legume grasses), soil processing (disking, plowing, harrowing) and comprehensive fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Seed harvesting is done at the wax ripening phase at a cutting height of 50–60 cm, and storage – at moisture not exceeding 15%.
The 'Bilbo' variety is widely used as green cover, improving soil fertility and promoting the sustainable growth of subsequent crops. Due to its high palatability in all types of forage, it is valued in the feed industry, and its ability to quickly restore grass mixtures makes it in demand in open-field agro-technical systems.
