A System of Ecologically and Phytocenotically Differentiated Varieties of Perennial Grasses for Central Caucasus Conditions

A real lever for increasing feed production is the restoration and development of grasslands. Grasslands are not only essential for meeting the needs of animal husbandry for feed, but also play a crucial role in addressing important ecological and nature conservation issues. The goal of the research is to create innovative, highly productive varieties of perennial legumes and grasses, well adapted to specific growing conditions, possessing high ecological resilience, and capable of fully utilizing the bioclimatic potential of particular regions. The study is based on a system of ecologically and phytocenotically differentiated 39 varieties of 28 species of perennial legumes and grasses of a new generation, developed in the scientific agrarian center of the North Caucasus region of Russia. The direction and methods of selection were determined by both general and specific tasks, dictated by the diversity of soil and climatic conditions of the Central Precaucasus, as well as the nature and type of use (construction) of grasslands. The task of expanding phytocenotic selection, effective symbiotic activity, creating innovative varieties with stable dry matter yield (not less than 12.0 t/ha for hay and pasture use), and improved feed value (crude protein content of 12–15% for cereals and 22–27% for legumes) was accomplished.