PERENNIAL WHEAT – GLOBAL EXPERIENCE AND THE PROSPECTS OF GROWING

Abstract

The article reflects on the possibilities of using perennial grains and their role in the processes of improving the structure and fertility of the soil, which in general will ensure the effective use of natural and artificial ecological systems. Through the analysis of a number of literary sources of native and foreign researchers it has been established that the first locally produced perennial wheat was obtained in 1937, and two yields were obtained, the total amount of which during the growing season was 11,73 t/ha with winter wheat yield 0.8 t/ha and spring wheat - 0.75 t/ha. The plant breeders of the Rodale Institute and the Earth Institute (USA) used intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium, (Kernza) to create perennial crops, as it is characterized by its plant-breeding potential and obtaining products with good taste and nutritional properties. Ten-year estimates of the productivity of perennial wheat helped to establish that their harvest has tripled in 10 years and made up 900 pounds of grain per acre in the fields of Wisconsin. The experiments are also being carried out on the compatible cultivation of Kernza with legumes in order to intensify sowings and usage of Kernza for dual use: as food grains and fodder, due to a high nutritional value of Kernza’s leaves and stalks for cattle, especially in spring and autumn, which makes it an important dual-use crop. Scientific studies have proved perennial wheat to be a promising crop with high productivity potential, which will provide yields at the level of traditional crops, but with the advantage of long-term use.

Keywords

• perennial grains
• intermediate wheatgrass
• wheat and wheatgrass hybrids
• kernza