Farmer's Day in Sadovo – diversity of cereal and legume crops

The Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (IPGR) "Konstantin Malkov" – Sadovo develops a breeding program for wheat, triticale, and the southern crops peanuts, sesame, and rice. Wheat is primarily adapted to the dry conditions of the country. IPGR – Sadovo, which is part of the Agricultural Academy, creates varieties that are mainly drought-resistant. Wheat, barley, durum wheat, rye, oats, triticale, peanuts, and peas are produced. These are the crops from which IPGR conducts seed production.

Alternative Crops Offered by IPGR Sadovo

Scientists also cultivate the crop bitter vetch, or as it is otherwise called, 'glorious vetch'. The plant is leguminous and is used for green manuring (sideration). The crop has recently been sought after for medicinal purposes. Sesame is another attractive crop that anyone can find at the institute in Sadovo. The crop is alternative, sown on small areas in the country, says chief assistant Alexiev. One of the institute's achievements is a sesame variety suitable for fully mechanized cultivation. From sowing to harvesting, machinery is used. Other crops include millet and flax, as well as the honey plant phacelia. The pasture that phacelia provides to bees lasts about 40 days – which makes it very valuable.

The other star at IPGR – Sadovo is spelt. It can be einkorn or emmer. Research conducted at the institute shows that einkorn spelt is gluten-free. People who have problems with gluten intolerance should consume einkorn spelt. The grain of spelt is hulled, similar to barley, and needs to be dehulled. The grain of einkorn spelt is smaller, but when dehulled, it has a specific shape – an elliptical, oval, and flattened grain. This is what should be looked for in stores when it comes to spelt. Durum and common wheat – from a practical point of view, chief assistant Dr. Alexiev added that pasta products are made from durum wheat. Flour for the good, traditional Bulgarian bread is produced from common wheat. The Institute of Plant Genetic Resources "Konstantin Malkov" – Sadovo also produces oat varieties with hulled grains, but there are also oat varieties with naked grains.

And of course, the expert's analysis from Sadovo cannot take place without the famous Sadovo peanuts. If consumers want delicious peanuts, they should definitely buy Bulgarian peanuts, as they also possess very good nutritional qualities. Large quantities of Bulgarian-bred peanuts go to farmers in Austria, Germany, France; the interest is significant.

For the "Kalina" peanut variety, about 50% of the kernels are cracked. This is a distinctive sign; other peanut varieties in the world are not cracked. This is one of the tricks – when you're looking for Bulgarian peanuts and want them to be fresh, good, and tasty, look for those with cracked shells, says chief assistant Alexiev.

The Institute of Plant Genetic Resources “Konstantin Malkov”

most kindly invites you to

FARMER'S DAY IN SADOVO

29.05.2024

Source ASA