Flowering spectrum diversity of Vicia sepium

Abstract

The bush vetch (Vicia sepium) takes one of the first places among leguminous grasses by the amount of proteins. The previous studies show that the bush vetch is one of the most perspective leguminous fodder grasses in Lithuania. The seeds of 13 V. sepium cenopopulations from different places of the country were sown in spring in mixture with Phleum pretense and Festuca pratensis and investigated in an experimental station (central Lithuania, medium loam, pH-7) in 2004–2007. The aim of the work was to investigate the diversity of flowering spectrum and the environmental impact on the time of flowering of V. sepium. Oneand two-time flowering cenopopulations were found, and early and late flowering forms of the bush vetch were distinguished by the experimental season. Cenopopulations from southwestern and northern regions flowered twice more frequently than cenopopulations from the southern region. Cenopopulations originating from the eastern region were characterized by early and one-time flowering. The greatest influence on the flowering term and duration was exerted by the amount of precipitation.