Evaluation of Biomass Yield, Seed Yield and Chemical Composition of Different Varieties of Vetch and Oats Grown in Pure Stand and Mixture in Mareka District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of variety on biomass yield, seed yield, forage quality, and biological compatibility of oats and vetch grown in the pure stand and mixtures. The experiment was conducted during the main cropping season on 16th May 2020 at Gozo Bamush farmers training center in Mareka district, Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia. Eight treatments were formulated using two recently released vetch and oat varieties in sole and mixed stands. The experiment was employed in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data on agronomic parameters, biomass and seed yield as well as chemical compositions were recorded and analyzed by SAS version 9.3 (32). Significant treatment effects were separated by the least significant difference test at p 0.05). Among vetch species, Vicia vilosa 6792 gave higher crude protein content (20.14%) and lower grain yield (1.19t/ha) and acid detergent fiber (40.35) compared to Vicia sativa which had a crude protein content (19.4%), grain yield (1.92t/ha) and neutral detergent fiber content (49.35%). In nutrient, indices showed that the highest TCPY (1.51t/ha) and TNDFY (4.04 t/ha) were obtained from the mixture of Vicia vilosa 6792 + Avena sativa 15153A. Relative yield total of oats and vetch varieties were greater than one in all mixed treatments indicating that the yield obtained in mixed stands was more productive than the same species grown as sole crops. Thus, the relative yield total was higher by 70% in Vicia vilosa 6792 + Avena sativa 15153A mixture. The greatest acceptability in terms of the test was high for grains from pure stands of Avena sativa 5431A Oat and Vicia sativa. For dry matter yield, the best acceptable tasted varieties were Vicia vilosa 6792 and Avena sativa 15153A in both pure stand and mixture. This study highlights the positive potential of Vicia vilosa 6792 + Avena sativa 15153A in forage yield, quality and also could enhance soil fertility to complement forage production at the experiment site. However, the experiment was conducted in only one location over a single season, therefore, repeating the trial at a different location and over seasons would be important to draw a more concrete recommendation.