RESULTS OF GRAIN QUALITY EVALUATION OF COMMON MILLET VARIETIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT BANK OF THE SARATOV REGION

The results of comparative study of grain quality indices in recommended for cultivation (in different years) varieties of common millet [1] with red and yellow coloration of flower films are presented. The research was carried out in the fields of FASC of the South-East in 2023-2024. Distinctly pronounced differences in varieties according to basic, genetically controlled characteristics were revealed. The weight of 1000 grains in these years ranged from 6.6-7.9 g for small-grain (in Saratov) varieties (Apollon, Regent, Kharkov 57, etc.) to 9.2-9.8 g for varieties Saratovskoye 12, Rossiyanka, Povolzhskoye 80. The yellowness of the kernel, correlating with the content of carotenoid pigments, varied from 1.0-2.0 points (whitish and pale yellow kernels) in varieties with a reduced amount of carotenoids (Belgorod 1, Kamyshin 98, Kharkov 65, etc.) to 3.5- 4.5 points (the color of the kernel ranges from yellow to intense yellow, dark-yellow) - in varieties with medium and high carotenoid content (Saratovskoye 10, Saratovskoye 12, Rossiyanka, Saratovskoye yellow, Kazachye, Athlete, Sardar, Sarbin, etc.). Saratov 15 showed the maximum in these indicators: amber yellowness - 5.0 points, carotenoids - 14.0 mg/kg with a sufficiently high mass of 1000 grains - 8.9 g. The content of carotenoid pigments in almost all varieties shows a negative correlation (from weak to medium, depending on the set of the evaluated genotypes) with protein content. No genotypes with a simultaneous high content of carotenoids and protein have been identified. According to the degree of susceptibility to melanosis (subfilmal damage to grain by pathogenic bacterial and fungal microflora), most of the studied genotypes should be considered highly resistant based on the results obtained. The results of a comparative assessment of millet varieties with red and yellow grain coloring based on their quality are important for breeding work and can serve as a good guideline when choosing varieties for cultivation in specific environmental conditions