EVALUATION OF THE YIELD AND ADAPTABILITY PARAMETERS OF SUGAR AND GRASS SORGHUM IN THE ZONE OF THE ARID CHERNOZEM STEPPE OF THE VOLGA REGION

Sorghum undoubtedly belongs to such agricultural crops that adapt to the stress factors of an unfavorable environment during their cultivation. Adaptive features and productive potential characterize the ecological plasticity and stability of the crop in specific conditions of cultivation. The arid chernozem steppe zone plays an important role in the agro-industrial sector of the Volga region. Sorghum is a drought-resistant and productive agricultural crop that is able to form a stable crop in conditions of often recurring droughts. Of great importance in our time is the ratio of potential productivity and adaptive capacity of fodder crops. Therefore, breeders are faced with the task of breeding not only highly productive, but also environmentally sustainable varieties and hybrids. The article presents the results of research work on the study of the productivity of sorghum crops, their stress resistance, as well as the parameters of adaptability of varieties of sugar and grass sorghum. The studies were carried out at the FSBSO "Federal Center of Agriculture Research of the South- East Region" (Saratov) in the laboratory of selection and seed production of fodder crops and corn. According to the results of the research, the most promising highly productive lines, hybrids and varieties with decent adaptive properties were identified. Sorghum-Sudan hybrid Listovoy (V=7%; Hom=9; Y2-Y1=-1.7; Sc=10.2) proved to be the most stable and plastic. Of the sweet sorghum varieties, the Rubezh variety distinguished itself (V=12%; Hom=3.8; Y2-Y1=-2.2; Sc=5.6). SSG Listovoy and sweet sorghum variety Rubezh proved to be the most adaptive to the cultivation conditions in this ecological niche. When selecting the most promising genotypes of sorghum fodder crops for their use under production conditions, the agricultural producer must take into account not only the high yield potential, but also the statistical indicators of adaptability