Comparative estimation of the chemical composition and nutritional value of sainfoin varieties and lines

There have been presented the testing results of sainfoin samples developed by the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in the southern part of the Rostov Region. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the biochemical composition of sand sainfoin varieties and lines, to identify promising initial breeding material for consistently high indicators of green mass quality. The study was conducted in 2019–2023. Phenological observations and laboratory tests were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods and GOSTs. The objects of the studies were 5 sainfoin varieties included in the register and approved for use and 4 promising lines. The study of the chemical composition made it possible to establish that, on average, over the years of study, the largest dry matter content was established in the variety ‘Shuravi’ (21.25 %) and the line ‘Sin 15/93’ (20.92 %). The varieties ‘Atamansky 20’ (19.87 %), ‘Veles’ (18.70 %), ‘Sudar’ (18.04 %), ‘Shuravi’ (18.79 %) and the lines ‘Sin 9/97’ (17.41 %), ‘Sin 15/93’ (17.95 %) were the best in terms of crude protein percentage. The variety ‘Shuravi’ (2.53 %) and the lines ‘Sin 15/93’ (2.45 %), ‘Sin 1/2000’ (2.39 %) had the maximum oil content in green mass. The variety ‘Shuravi’ (9.45%) exceeded the standard one in terms of crude ash content. The variety ‘Sudar’ (42.36 %) and the line ‘Sin 15/93’ (42.23%) were characterized by the maximum amount of NfES. The varieties ‘Atamansky 20’ (9.83 MJ/kg), ‘Veles’ (9.76 MJ/kg), ‘Sudar’ (9.93 MJ/kg) and the line ‘Sin 15/93’ (9.99 MJ/kg) are characterized by high values of exchange energy, which allows recommending these genotypes for use in the breeding process as sources of useful traits and properties and in the production process as a forecrop, for preparation of feed with high nutritional and energy value.