The war waged by Russia against Ukraine has forced many to take the problem of food security more seriously. It is not only about providing the population of the Earth with grain, but also the agrarians with seed material. These are the problems faced by domestic farmers on the eve of sowing - of course, those who did not purchase seeds in advance. It was possible to eliminate the deficit, but the problem does not disappear. Unfortunately, our farmers increasingly rely on foreign hybrids to overcome it. And in vain. Compatriots can give a head start to many imported counterparts. This is proven by the selection developments of scientists of the Ukrainian Scientific Institute of Breeding, in particular their latest creation, the Maybach rapeseed hybrid.
- Even during the war, we did not stop breeding work. We are entering the market of Ukraine with a new Maybach rapeseed hybrid resistant to tribenuron-methyl, says the founder of the Institute, Myroslav Parii. - The final stage of work took place at the end of February - beginning of March. Currently, the hybrid is undergoing state registration, field tests and shows very promising results. This year we will sow the first experimental production crops - to test the technology and then launch it on the market en masse. I am sure it will be a real revolution in technology, it will be a bomb! There are no such hybrids on the Ukrainian market - neither domestic nor imported. Available only in Canada and the US, but also in the registration phase.
According to the breeder, the key difference of the Maybach hybrid is its resistance to tribenuron-methyl, a sulfonylurea herbicide. Such herbicides are the cheapest, so they are very popular among farmers. They make it possible to control dicotyledonous weeds in crops of dicotyledonous crops. True, tribenuron-methyl is used mainly on cereals, as well as on some sunflower hybrids. The problem is that the crop is also adversely affected by the herbicide, which reduces its yield as a result.
- Instead, the Maybach hybrid has genetic resistance to tribenuron methyl, caused by specific mutations in the ACHAS gene. If we take into account the low cost of this herbicide, the combination of the hybrid and the herbicide will allow farmers to significantly reduce the cost of rapeseed production. Yes, the rate of application of herbicide is only 50 g/ha. Therefore, the cost of processing rapeseed crops is much lower compared to other herbicides used on rapeseed, says Myroslav Parii. - Nowadays, companies that offer rapeseed seeds also offer herbicides for their production. But this technology will be much more profitable. In fact, in conditions of economic decline, lack of working capital, and the impossibility of profitably selling crops, cheap but high-quality technologies become a profitable alternative.
The process is ongoing
It is pleasant to state that the war did not fundamentally affect the selection process in the country - domestic breeders continue to work on new developments. Even if it is slower than in peacetime, because you have to overcome certain difficulties related to logistics or the lack of new equipment. However, there is always a way out. So, for example, instead of a new German isolator, VNIS scientists had to make do with used ones. These difficulties somewhat slow down the work, but it does not stop.
- By and large, we feel that this is our front and we are fighting for the independence of Ukraine, providing it with seeds, which is a guarantee of food security, - believes Myroslav Parii. - Because at the beginning of the war, foreign companies refused to import seeds of parent components and hybrids of the first generation to Ukraine. And this once again confirmed the thesis that we should develop our own selection. Of course, later the companies recovered, deliveries began. But where is the guarantee that the situation will not change? Then Ukraine may be left without its own seeds, without sown fields. This is especially true for rapeseed, sunflower, and corn, where hybrid seeds are used.
Well, the war gives a chance to domestic hybrids to increase their market presence. After all, they are in no way inferior in their characteristics to foreign ones. Here, the mentality is more likely to work - they say, ours cannot be better than foreign ones. That is why domestic rapeseed or soybeans are sown in poorer fields, and extensive technology is used. And have a corresponding result. So the question here is not about breeding, but about an agronomist.
Another reason for the increase in imports is the more aggressive commercial policy of foreign companies. Therefore, there is a question for producers who agree to buy seeds from companies, none of which have left the Russian market, emphasizes Myroslav Parii. Instead, funds created in Ukraine remain here and are directed to further development and growth of the state's economic potential.
Choose your hybrid
As for the crops themselves, today it is difficult to talk about their adaptability to certain climatic conditions, because they change from year to year. But the portfolio of rapeseed hybrids of VNIS is large enough to ensure a high level of productivity in different zones, using different technologies.
– In areas of risky agriculture, we recommend our hybrids Grim and Redstone. They have shown themselves very well in the South and East of the country, they can withstand arid conditions, they forgive certain flaws in production, - says Andriy Sidorov, head of the rapeseed selection department of VNIS. - For the West, the Center is recommended to grow hybrids using classical technology, in particular Hulk. This is a high-yielding hybrid designed for high-quality agricultural technology, which can provide up to 5 t/ha. We generally do not recommend growing rapeseed in these zones for beginners, because this crop requires intensive technology. Parker and Blackstone hybrids resistant to imidazolines are very popular among farmers, because they can also be grown according to classical technology. In the West, Parker's record is 5.1 t/ha, Blackstone's is 4.9 t/ha. Finally, we would like to emphasize that this year the amount of seeds in the company is limited, so those who want to purchase it should hurry. An additional benefit is the rapeseed insurance program against failure to obtain seedlings or failure to overwinter. In the event of an insurance event, farmers can compensate for their losses by purchasing corn or sunflower seeds at a discount. High-quality and domestic.
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