The EN Kvant and EN Orion chickpea varieties, bred in the Plant Breeding and Variety Maintenance Centre of EkoNiva Group, Russia’s largest dairy holding, have been listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2026. The respective entry has been made in the digital register on State Variety Testing Commission’s website. These are the Group’s first chickpea varieties that have been approved for use by the state.

Chickpea has been lately making a name for itself as a promising agricultural crop with a high export potential. Good drought resistance combined with the ability to withstand recurring frost as low as -6°C and undemandingness to the type of soil allows growing it in different climate zones. EkoNiva Group’s Plant Breeding and Variety Maintenance Centre has been running its own chickpea breeding programme since 2020. Now, its first accomplishments have been state-recognised.

The EN Kvant chickpea variety has been approved for use in four regions: Central Black Soil, North Caucasian, Urals and West Siberian. Its crop yield potential is up to 3 tonnes per hectare. It ripens in 95 to 110 days, is resistant to high temperatures and drought, with remarkably stable crop yield. A single seed contains from 18 to 25 per cent of protein and from 5 to 7 per cent of fat. Thanks to the bush’s branchy shape, the leaves make the maximum use of the sunlight, which creates a favourable microclimate at the soil’s surface, reducing moisture evaporation. This also helps to control the growth of weeds, freeing the plants from competition for water.

The EN Orion chickpea variety has been adapted to three regions: Central Black Soil, North Caucasian and West Siberian. Its vegetation period is from 95 to 110 days, and crop yield can reach up to 3 tonnes per hectare. Besides, the seeds are rich in protein (18 to 28 per cent) and contain 5 to 7 per cent of fat. EN Orion is remarkably resistant to diseases and droughts, it adapts to changing weather conditions well. The plants’ compact and well-ventilated bushes allow to cultivate the variety even in regions with heightened humidity.

‘The addition of our chickpea varieties into the State Register of Plant Breeding Achievements expands EkoNiva’s seed portfolio plus it is the company’s input into the implementation of the country’s national food security doctrine in the protein crop segment. We see chickpea as a promising niche crop, which, along with our active soy bean and lentil programmes, will enable us to offer new, in-demand solutions to farmers. Not only is this a contribution to domestic manufacturing, but it is also an opportunity for further export development provided that the necessary effective delivery chains and partner relationships are in place’, comments Vitaliy Voloshchenko, Head of EkoNiva Group’s Plant Breeding and Variety Maintenance Centre.

EkoNiva Group has been developing its in-house breeding programmes since 2015. Now, its portfolio comprises 18 varieties of own breeding: 10 winter wheat, 5 soya bean, 1 lentil and 2 chickpea ones. The varieties developed by EkoNiva’s breeders are cultivated by the Group’s subdivisions, and the seeds are sold to domestic and foreign buyers.

The company’s specialists submit their breeding achievements for state testing and registration every year. Today, such promising breeding lines – lentil, peas, spring wheat and brewing barley – are in the pipeline. Besides, flax, alfalfa and cereal fodder grass breeding programmes are currently underway.