Breeding of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.)

The firm lithuanian fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) high-yielding cultivars 'Vidmantai', 'Laukiai' and 'Melsviai' were bred in 1986-1999 at the Research Station of the Lithuanian Agricultural University by applying group and individual selection of progeny from the wild populations. A good adaptability to Lithuanian agroclimatical conditions are established for the new fodder galega cultivar 'Vidmantai' 'Laukiai' and 'Melsviai'. 'Vidmantai','Laukiai' and 'Melsviai' guarantee early, heavy, protein- rich yield and high resistance to phytopathogens and pests. In the competitive variety trials the cultivar 'Vidmantai','Laukiai' and 'Melsviai' was tested during the period of 1996-2001. Average data of 5 years of the competitive trials of dry matter yield varied from 12.0 up to 12.4 t ha(-1) depending of the climatic conditions. The stable yield of seeds (0.60-0.62 tha(-1)) was estableshed. The protein content on average consist 219.0 g kg(-1). The cultivars 'Vidmantai', 'Laukiai' and 'Melsviai' were registered in Lithuania in 2001, The breeders of selected cultivars 'Vidmantai'. 'Laukiai' and 'Melsviai' are L. Balezentiene, V. Spruogis, O. Kazemekas and J.Levinskas.