Registration of 'Azov' Meadow Fescue

'Azov' (Reg. No. CV-101, PI 676975) meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.; syn. Festuca pratensis Huds.; syn. Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.] is a synthetic population originating from 1000 parental genotypes. The parents of Azov were selected from 10 Russian plant introductions, originating primarily from the area surrounding the Sea of Azov. Azov meadow fescue has forage yield approximately 7% lower than tall fescue [S. arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort; syn. F. arundinacea Schreb.; syn. L. arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6, but forage yield equal to these two species in hardiness zone 4. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of Azov tends to be similar to or lower than that of other meadow fescue cultivars but is still approximately 5 to 7% higher than that of tall fescue and orchardgrass. Azov is adapted for forage production and grazing in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 6, with superior adaptation in the colder portions of this range.