Considered are the results of environmental testing of maize hybrids (FAO 100-149, 2008–2016) created in different Russian selection centers, in the Saratov region. Depending on the place where the hybrids were created they were designated: Ik (Pyatigorsk), Om (Omsk, Kr (Krasnodar), Fo (Kabardino-Balkaria), KS (Krasnodar Krai), YuV (Saratov), Po (Volgograd region). The volume of the environmental test nursery ranged from 18 to 50 items. The coefficients of skewness and kurtosis of the grain yield, harvest moisture and biochemical indicators were not significant at a 5% level, it means that the distribution of parameters was normal. The hydrothermic factor during testing over the research years varied from 0.32 to 1.1. The hybrids were under similar conditions. In 2010, a sharp decrease (more than twice) in the maize grain yield was recorded under the conditions of extreme drought, especially strong in the 2nd half of vegetation period. The period of 2012–2016 was characterized by a relatively stable yield of the standard and best maize hybrids. The hybrids were ranked for some features as an average yield increased: (Ross 140 SV) - Ik - Om - Kr - Fo - KS - YuV - Po. The harvest moisture of grains indicated the technological possibility to dry grain received from early maize hybrids, since the actual excessive moisture could be removed without any significant difficulties. The order for the average harvest moisture value was as follows: Ik - Om - Kr - Fo - st (Ross 140 SV) - KS - YuV - Po. The testing revealed a variation in the biochemical content of the grain of the maize hybrids. The order for the crude protein content was as follows: Kr - Om - KS - Ik - Po - control (Ross 140 SV) - Fo - YuV. | Рассматриваются результаты экологического испытания гибридов (2008–2016 гг.) кукурузы (ФАО 100–149), созданных в разных селекцентрах России, в условиях Саратовской обл. В зависимости от места создания гибридам присвоили обозначения: Ик (Пятигорск), Ом (Омск), Кр (Краснодар), Фо (Кабардино-Балкария), КС (Краснодарский край), ЮВ (Саратов), По (Волгоградская обл.). Объем питомника экологического испытания гибридов варьировал в интервале 18–50 наименований. Коэффициенты асимметрии и эксцесса урожайности зерна, уборочной влажности и биохимических показателей не были значимы на 5%-ом уровне, то есть распределение параметров соответствовало нормальному. Гидротермический коэффициент в пункте испытания за годы наблюдений варьировал от 0,32 до 1,1. Гибриды при этом находились в одинаковых сравнимых условиях. В 2010 г. отмечалось резкое снижение урожайности зерна гибридов кукурузы (более, чем в 2 раза) в условиях экстремальной засухи, особенно сильной во второй половине вегетации. Период 2012–2016 гг. отличался относительно стабильной урожайностью стандарта и лучших гибридов кукурузы. Гибриды были ранжированы по ряду признаков. Ряд по мере роста средней урожайности: (Росс 140 СВ) - Ик - Ом - Кр - Фо - КС - ЮВ - По. Уборочная влажность зерна свидетельствует о технологической возможности подсушивания зерна раннеспелых гибридов кукурузы, так как реальная избыточная влажность может быть снята без существенных затруднений. Ряд по среднему значению уборочной влажности зерна: Ик - Ом - Кр - Фо - st (Росс 140 СВ) - КС - ЮВ -По. В опыте выявлено варьирование биохимического состава зерна гибридов кукурузы. Ряд по содержанию сырого протеина: Кр - Ом - КС - Ик - По- контроль (Росс 140 СВ) - Фо - ЮВ.

Enhanced biodiversity in intercropping systems can increase productivity, stability, resilience and resource-use efficiency of the intercropped species compared with sole-cropping.A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to compare the productivity of pure stand of fodder sorghum " Abu sabein" and hyacinth bean " Lubia afin" with the mixture of the two fodders. The analysis of variance showed significant differences in fresh and dry weight at plant age 30, 40, 50 and 60 days and leaves to stem ratio at 30 days. This study revealed that the contribution of green and dry weight of fodder sorghum was greater than that of hyacinth beanand leaf to stem ratio for both fodders was declined with plant age.

Evapotranspiration and transpiration measurements represent a tool for the assessment of crop water demand. The aim of this study was to compare sorghum and maize with respect to its potential for forage production in areas with insufficient precipitation in Central Europe. The values of the actual evapotranspiration (ETa, Bowen ratio balance method), transpiration (sap flow method), leaf area index (LAI) and biomass production of sorghum and maize were measured continuously in years 2010-2012. Sorghum stand provided higher ETa in comparison with maize in dry year 2012. Maize produced consistently more above-ground biomass yield and lower LAI over all evaluated years than sorghum. The sorghum provided similar or higher water use efficiency (WUE) than maize during the period of intensive prolongation growth, however, the higher WUE did not result in higher biomass production.

CORE IDEAS: Canopy and light interception characteristics of forage sorghum and sorghum‐legume systems were evaluated.Intercropping with sorghum increased canopy coverage and light interception early in the growing season.Intercropping legumes with forage sorghum increased LAI compared with sole forage sorghum.LAI was an accurate growth predictor of light interception in sole sorghum and all sorghum‐legume systems. Livestock production is an important agro‐industry in many semiarid regions of the world including the southern High Plains, USA. Therefore, objectives of this study were to understand how canopy development and light interception patterns impact biomass yield of several legume species when intercropped with forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown under irrigation. Field studies were conducted at Tucumcari and Clovis, NM in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Five annual legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.), lablab (Lablab purpureus L.), and pole bean (P. vulgaris L.)] were intercropped between two rows of sorghum spaced at 0.75 m and compared with sole sorghum under irrigation. Intercropping legumes with sorghum increased leaf area index (LAI) compared with sorghum alone, at both locations. Intercropping legumes with sorghum resulted in faster canopy coverage and greater light interception early in the growing season compared with sorghum alone. Lablab, cowpea, lima bean, and pole bean were promising legumes to improve light interception when intercropping with sorghum. The LAI was an accurate growth predictor of light interception in all intercropping systems and sorghum alone (R² > 0.94). Overall, optimum LAI (90% light interception) was lower in all intercropping systems compared with sorghum alone. Dry matter accumulation had strong correlations with LAI and light interception at both locations before canopy closure (58 d after planting). Overall, intercropping legumes in forage sorghum benefits producers by providing protein to livestock and reduces the need to purchase dietary supplements in their traditional livestock production systems.

S.I. Gorpinichenko, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences; N.A. Kovtunova, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences; V.V. Kovtunov, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center ‘Donskoy” (347740, Zernograd, Nauchny Gorodok, 3; email: vniizk30@mail.ru) The working results of the research institutions of the Russian federation on sorghum The article presents the complete analysis of the data concerning sorghum taken from the State List of the Breeding Achievements for 2016. About 20 research institutions are conducting breeding work in the selection of varieties and hybrids of sorghum in Russia, among them such leading establishments as the FSBSI ARRI of Grain Crops named after I.G. Kalinenko, FSBSI Russian RI o Sorghum and Maize, FSBSI Stavropol RIA, FSBSI Nizhne-Volzhsky RIA, FSBSI RIA of South-East and the Academy of Bio and Nature resources, FSAEI HE Crimea federal University named after V.I. Vernadsky. There are 221 sorghum varieties and hybrids, including 55 varieties and 39 hybrids of grain sorghum, 35 varieties and 10 hybrids of sweet sorghum, 29 sorghum-Sudan hybrids, 39 varieties of Sudan grass, 13 varieties of broomcorn and 2 varieties of perennial sorghum registered in the State List in 2016, among which the share of 6 major research institutions in Russia accounts for 118 (53%) sorghum varieties and hybrids. Analyzing the distribution of sorghum varieties and hybrids according to the date of introduction into the State List, we have found that for the last years Russia has been conducting a successful breeding work with grain sorghum, sweet sorghum and sorghum-Sudan hybrids, among which the new (less than 5 years) varieties account 40-53%. For the last six years (2011-2016) the leading institutions developed and introduced into the State List 22 varieties and hybrids of grain sorghum, 14 varieties of sweet sorghum, 8 varieties of Sudan grass, 8 sorghum-Sudan hybrids and 2 varieties of broomcorn.

S.I. Gorpinichenko, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences; N.A. Kovtunova, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences; V.V. Kovtunov, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center ‘Donskoy” (347740, Zernograd, Nauchny Gorodok, 3; email: vniizk30@mail.ru) The working results of the research institutions of the Russian federation on sorghum The article presents the complete analysis of the data concerning sorghum taken from the State List of the Breeding Achievements for 2016. About 20 research institutions are conducting breeding work in the selection of varieties and hybrids of sorghum in Russia, among them such leading establishments as the FSBSI ARRI of Grain Crops named after I.G. Kalinenko, FSBSI Russian RI o Sorghum and Maize, FSBSI Stavropol RIA, FSBSI Nizhne-Volzhsky RIA, FSBSI RIA of South-East and the Academy of Bio and Nature resources, FSAEI HE Crimea federal University named after V.I. Vernadsky. There are 221 sorghum varieties and hybrids, including 55 varieties and 39 hybrids of grain sorghum, 35 varieties and 10 hybrids of sweet sorghum, 29 sorghum-Sudan hybrids, 39 varieties of Sudan grass, 13 varieties of broomcorn and 2 varieties of perennial sorghum registered in the State List in 2016, among which the share of 6 major research institutions in Russia accounts for 118 (53%) sorghum varieties and hybrids. Analyzing the distribution of sorghum varieties and hybrids according to the date of introduction into the State List, we have found that for the last years Russia has been conducting a successful breeding work with grain sorghum, sweet sorghum and sorghum-Sudan hybrids, among which the new (less than 5 years) varieties account 40-53%. For the last six years (2011-2016) the leading institutions developed and introduced into the State List 22 varieties and hybrids of grain sorghum, 14 varieties of sweet sorghum, 8 varieties of Sudan grass, 8 sorghum-Sudan hybrids and 2 varieties of broomcorn.

Maize (Zea mays L.) silage is the preferred feedstock choice for biogas production. However, other feedstocks or mixed feedstocks might have lower environmental impact than silage maize. The objectives of this study included: 1) to determine if forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and forage sorghum-maize intercropping can be a viable option to replace maize in forage and biogas production, and 2) to assess the environmental impact of systems involving maize and forage sorghum intercropping and comparing the impact of those, with conventional monocrop rotations. Replicated experiments were conducted in Carrington, Fargo, and Prosper, ND, in 2013 and in Fargo, ND in 2014. Maize for silage and grain and two forage sorghum cultivars (Brown Mid Rib (BMR) and non-BMR) were grown in monoculture and in intercropping. Treatments were a total of twelve; four monocultures, four inter-row intercropped maize-sorghum, and four within-row intercropped maize-sorghum. Results across environments indicated non-BMR forage sorghum monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield compared with maize monocultures and maize-forage sorghum mixed cultures (inter-row and within-row). Biogas yield and forage quality produced by forage sorghum monocultures, and mixtures containing forage sorghum were similar to that of maize. Thus, forage sorghum can replace, at least in part, silage maize as feedstock for feed or biogas. Forage sorghum and forage sorghum-maize intercropping had lower environmental impact compared with maize in all categories evaluated. In conclusion, intercropping of forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for forage or as feedstock for biogas production.

The use of intercropping sorghum-palisadegrass for grain and straw production has become an advantageous cultivation option, can provide improvements in physical and chemical soil properties, maximizes production and income to the growers. There are still many management gaps to be improved in this intercropping in order that grower has the best outcome. Considering this, the objective of this study was to evaluate different sowing dates of palisadegrass in relation to sorghum, and evaluate the yield of soybean cultivated in succession. Palisadegrass was sown in monocrop and also between the lines of sorghum at different times (0, 15 and 25 days after sowing sorghum), as well the sorghum in monocrop. Soybeans were grown in succession on the straw of the mentioned treatments. It was evaluated biomass production and grain yield. Sowing palisadegrass and sorghum on the same day reduced sorghum grain yield and the palisadegrass biomass production. However, if palisadegrass are sowed 15 days after sorghum sowing, did not reduce the sorghum grain yield. Also, if the producer aims to produce sorghum grains, it is better to delay the sowing of palisadegrass in relation to sorghum. Although, if the producer aims to produce residual dry biomass, it is better to sow palisadegrass on the same day as sorghum or monocrop palisadegrass. Soybean yield did not differ among treatments when grown on different straws in the first year of cultivation. | The use of intercropping sorghum-palisadegrass for grain and straw production has become an advantageous cultivation option, can provide improvements in physical and chemical soil properties, maximizes production and income to the growers. There are still many management gaps to be improved in this intercropping in order that grower has the best outcome. Considering this, the objective of this study was to evaluate different sowing dates of palisadegrass in relation to sorghum, and evaluate the yield of soybean cultivated in succession. Palisadegrass was sown in monocrop and also between the lines of sorghum at different times (0, 15 and 25 days after sowing sorghum), as well the sorghum in monocrop. Soybeans were grown in succession on the straw of the mentioned treatments. It was evaluated biomass production and grain yield. Sowing palisadegrass and sorghum on the same day reduced sorghum grain yield and the palisadegrass biomass production. However, if palisadegrass are sowed 15 days after sorghum sowing, did not reduce the sorghum grain yield. Also, if the producer aims to produce sorghum grains, it is better to delay the sowing of palisadegrass in relation to sorghum. Although, if the producer aims to produce residual dry biomass, it is better to sow palisadegrass on the same day as sorghum or monocrop palisadegrass. Soybean yield did not differ among treatments when grown on different straws in the first year of cultivation.