PRODUCTIVITY OF FORAGE CROPS IN THE STEPPE ZONE OF THE NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The article presents the results of a comparative evaluation of unconventional annual forage crops based on their productivity in the steppe zone of the Northern Kazakhstan. The subjects of the study were varieties and hybrids of Sorghum-sudan grass hybrids, Zea mays, Echinochloa frumentacea and Pennisétum gláucum. The relevance of the topic lies in the selection and introduction of new, more productive and drought-resistant forage crops for the steppe zone of the Northern Kazakhstan. The objectives of the study are to examine the features of growing forage crops in the steppe zone of the Northern Kazakhstan; conduct a comparative assessment of the productivity of forage crops; and identify the most promising forage crops for cultivation in the steppe zone of the Northern Kazakhstan. The scientific significance of the paper lies in obtaining new data on the comparative productivity of various forage crops in the conditions of the steppe zone of the Northern Kazakhstan. The study used the following research methods: the experimental method by B.A. Dospekhov, the vegetation accounting method by D. Braun, and the soil moisture determination method by N.M. Bakayev; laboratory analyses; and mathematical processing of yield data. The study results showed that the sorghum-sudan grass hybrid had the highest yield: 209.1 c/ha of green mass and 32.6 c/ha of dry matter. Corn and the sorghum-sudan grass hybrid showed a balanced content of crude protein and crude fiber in the forage. The yield of Echinochloa frumentacea and Pennisétum gláucum is lower but still sufficiently high compared to corn and the sorghum-sudan grass hybrid.