Phenotypic variation of Autumn and Spring-sown vetch (Vicia sativa ssp.) populations in central Turkey

H.K Firincioglu,Z Mutlu,E Karakurt,S Ünal,E Erbektas,L Dogruyol

doi:10.5424/sjar/2009073-444

Abstract

In central Turkey, common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa) is traditionally grown in spring. Frequent droughts cause crop failures. Autumn sowing can give higher yields, but then winter plant death is a major problem. The objective of this research was to explore and quantify variation available in V. sativa ssp. germplasm for winter hardiness, yield and adaptability. Eleven plant characters were evaluated in 164 vetch populations in autumn and spring sowings over two years, and their inter-relationships were analyzed. Mean winter death was 27% and was greater in the second, colder year, though the magnitude of the coefficient-of-variation was similar in both years (27 and 28%). Autumn-sown plants produced more standing biomass (17%) than spring-sown plants. Winter death was strongly related to other characters, particularly in the colder year. Principle component analysis proved to be efficient at simplifying the results by classifying the eleven variables into three main groups on the basis of seed size, maturity and winter hardiness. There is wide, exploitable phenotypic variation, and enhanced adaptation for autumn sowing could be achieved by selecting for large seeds and early maturity combined with reasonable winter survival.

Highlights

IntroductionCommon vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa) is one of the most important annual forage legumes in the world because of its multiple uses (i.e. hay, grain, straw, silage and green manure), its high nutritional value, and its ability to grow over a wide range of climatic and soil conditions
Common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa) is one of the most important annual forage legumes in the world because of its multiple uses, its high nutritional value, and its ability to grow over a wide range of climatic and soil conditions
Analysis of phenological, morphological and agronomic traits showed pronounced variation existed among 164 vetch populations

Summary

Introduction

Common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa) is one of the most important annual forage legumes in the world because of its multiple uses (i.e. hay, grain, straw, silage and green manure), its high nutritional value, and its ability to grow over a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Gençkan (1983) reported cultivation of common vetch as a forage crop by the Hittites of Anatolian civilizations. According to Davis (1970), 150 species of Vicia grow as wild populations in various parts of the world, and 59 of them occur in Turkey. Vicia sativa L. as wild, cultivated and a cosmopolitan plant is one of the genetically and phenotypically most variable species of Vicia (Davis, 1970). Amphicarpa exists in northwest and central Anatolia on rocky slopes and in fallow fields, V. sativa ssp. Amphicarpa) can express its winter hardiness, drought tolerance and persistence under heavy grazing (Alınoğlu and Durlu, 1970), whilst common vetch Sabancı (1997) reported considerable diversity among common vetch populations, collected from different regions of Turkey

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