Botanical and biological peculiarities of Sudan grass in dried conditions of the North Caucasus

Abstract

In order to form high productivity of green and dry mass of Sudan grass in three cuttings, a study of new varieties with high adaptive performance to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory was carried out. The morphological and botanical features of the varieties Sputnitsa and Zemlyachka are presented, allowing them to have an advantage in conditions of high temperatures during the growing season. These include rapid regrowth after mowing or grazing, the productivity of the aftermath exceeds the main mowing, shoot formation throughout the growing season. The productivity of the aftermath is higher, with a mowing height of the first cut, not lower than 7 cm. A powerful root system improves the physical and chemical processes of the soil layers, provides high drought resistance, good use of precipitation in the second half of summer, the Sudan grass transpiration coefficient is 250–270. The physiological characteristics of cell plasma make it possible to better withstand the negative effects of drought. On hot days, a wax coating forms on the surface of the stem. Plants are resistant to lodging, have good foliage of green mass, and have a high combination ability.