The article presents the results of analysis of the biochemical composition, output of gross energy, biomass and grain of 21 chumiz varieties. In the course of experiments, it was found that the range of variation in the protein content in the biomass is from 5.63to 12.91%. More than 11 % of protein is contained in the dry biomass of the following varieties: k-59, k-73, k-1074, k-2029, k-2542, k-3155, Stachumi-3. The fat content in the biomass varies in the range of 1,01…3,48 %. The highest fat content (>2,5 %) was found in cultivars: k-59, k-2029, k-2542, k-3683, Stachumi-3,UVES.Variability of other indicators of biomass quality in chumiz cultivars was found in the following limits: fiber – 30.77...39.06 %; ash – 5.20...13.94 %; BEV – 35.54...54.07 %. The variation of grain quality indicators is set within the following limits: protein – 11.02...15.36 %; fat – 3.26...6.46 %; fiber – 4.77...9.50 %; ash- 1.85...3.26 %; BEV – 68.83...74.30 %. More than 14 % of the protein in the grain was found in cultivars: k-73, k-941, k-982, k-2029, k-2566, k-2774. A relatively high fat content (>5,0 %) was found in the grain of varietals: k-2542, k-2598, k-2608, k-3155, k-3683, Stachumi-1, UVES. The yield of raw biomass varied in the range of 12.57...26.83 t/ha, and grain 1.00...4.10 t/ha. The output of gross energy per 1 t of biomass in the phase of milk ripeness varies in the range of 3.98…4.31 GJ, and grain 16.37…17.53 GJ. The yield of protein per 1 GJ of gross biomass energy varies in the range of 4.29…7.69 kg, and grain – 6.4…8.05 kg. The highest protein yield per 1 GJ of gross biomass energy was found in cultivars (k-59, k-73, k-1074, k-2029, k-2542, Stachumi-3).

The article presents the data of field experience on the study of the influence of the method of sowing and the predecessor on the yield of new chickpea varieties selected of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution RosNIISK “Rossorgo”. As a result of the conducted analysis of variance, the share of the total variability of factor A – 12.95%, factor B – 65.59%, factor C – 3.92%, interaction of A*B – 9.14%, A*C – 0.83%, B*C – 4.35%, A*B*C – 2.17%, the remainder (unaccounted factors) – 1.05% was revealed. The ranking of varieties by seed yield was presented in the following order: Benefit > Bonus > Sphere > Galileo > Ball > Falcon; different row spacing options: 45 cm > 60 cm > 70 cm > 30 cm > 15 cm; different predecessor options: spring wheat > spring barley > corn > grain sorghum. According to experience, a high seed yield was obtained when cultivating the Benefit variety, placed with a row spacing of 45 cm according to the predecessor spring wheat. The yield of gross energy in the crop per a. s. v. was in the range from 15.75 to 70.58 GJ/ha; the yield of grain per 1 GJ of energy consumption was from 0.06 to 0.26 tons. The highest values in the experiment were noted in the large-seeded variety Benefit, low values - in the small-seeded variety Sokol. Under the conditions under consideration, the best indicators of bioenergetic efficiency of seed production were characterized by the following varieties: large-seeded Benefit (with row spacing of 45 cm and 60 cm for the predecessors spring wheat, grain sorghum and corn) and Bonus (with row spacing of 45 cm for the predecessor spring wheat); medium-seeded Sphere (with row spacing of 45 cm for the predecessor spring wheat), due to the combination of high yield and grain quality.

There were considered the results of experiments with fertilizers, which were carried out with scientific fertilizers on the chernozem chestnut soils of the arid Volga region. The objects of research were grain fodder crops (spring barley, oats, grain sorghum, grain corn), as well as those used for green fodder (sugar sorghum, corn). It has been established that among mineral fertilizers, the leading role in yield increasing of forage crops belongs to nitrogen fertilizers but not phosphorus ones (as previously believed). The use of fertilizers based on humic acids had a positive effect on the growth, development and yield increase of forage crops. The maximum productivity in the experiments was achieved with the combined use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers and humic based products. The effect of all studied types of fertilizers depended on the weather conditions of the growing season.