Agroecological evaluation of Onobrychis arenaria varieties

Abstract

To make agroecological evaluation of Hungarian sainfoin (Onobrychis arenaria) varieties under the foothill conditions of the central part of the North Caucasus, field experiments were conducted in 2024 and 2025 in the III agroclimatic zone classified as insufficiently humid, on leached chernozem soils underlain by gravel. The research targets were the following Hungarian sainfoin varieties: Severo-Kavkazskiy (standard), Peschanyy 1251, Zernogradskiy 2, Altair, Sudar, and Rusich. The field trial was carried out using the technology common for this natural-climatic zone; grain maize served as the preceding crop, and sowing was performed in mid-spring (30 April). The varieties Zernogradskiy 2 and Sudar showed the best adaptive capacity; consequently, stand survival throughout the growing season exceeded that of the standard variety by 4.0–5.4% and was above 96%. The highest numbers of active nodules on roots on both the first and second year were recorded in the Zernogradskiy 2, Altair, and Rusich varieties. Resistance to Ascochyta blight was observed in the varieties Zernogradskiy 2 and Altair, whereas the standard Severo-Kavkazskiy exhibited the greatest susceptibility. With respect to rust, the varieties Peschanyy 1251, Zernogradskiy 2, and Altair were more resistant; in contrast, the standard variety, as well as Sudar and Rusich, showed greater sensitivity. Regarding the formation of generative organs, Peschanyy 1251 and Sudar varieties were leading producing the highest numbers. In terms of pod set, a pronounced advantage was demonstrated by plants of the Zernogradskiy variety. At the same time, Altair and Rusich varieties stood out by longer inflorescences (racemes) and by higher number of pods and greater pod weight per plant. In terms of final seed yield, the varieties Zernogradskiy 2, Altair, and Rusich were more productive than the standard two-cut Severo-Kavkazskiy; yield gains amounted to 20.8%, 17.4%, and 16.6%, respectively.