ON THE BREEDING AND CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGY OF MAIZE AND SORGHUM IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGION

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important crops in the fodder balance of livestock farming of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Its sowings for grain and silage reach 200 thousand hectares. Owing to the established ecological and geographical position of the republic, maize can be sown in two periods — in spring in the main sowings and in summer in stubble sowings, after harvesting cereal grain crops. This requires maize hybrids of two maturity groups — late-maturing (FAO 500-600) and medium-early (FAO 250-300). Hybrids of both maturity groups of domestic breeding are represented in the agricultural production of the republic. In addition, breeding work has been carried out in Uzbekistan to create high-lysine (for the needs of poultry farming) and drought-resistant (for regions with insufficient water supply) maize hybrids. Primary and industrial seed production is conducted for all hybrids of domestic breeding, and varietal agrotechnology for obtaining high yields of seeds and grain has been developed. Taking into account the increasing aridity of the climate of the Central Asian region, accompanied by a shortage of irrigation water against the background of progressive soil salinisation, it is necessary to select crops and varieties to provide livestock with fodder and to produce sugar-containing products. Along with previously released varieties, a new early-ripening variety of sweet sorghum, Korabosh, has been developed and is being introduced into production, with a vegetation period of 98 days, a green mass yield of 35-39 t/ha and a stem juice sugar content of up to 15-16 %. The new variety will find its place both in the production of green fodder and in its use as raw material in the preparation of sugar. The experience of using perennial sorghum in pure stands and in joint sowings with alfalfa is of interest.