Yield Performance and Nutritive Value of Vetch Species Grown on Nitosol and Vertisol Conditions in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Five vetch species were evaluated for basic quantitative and qualitative traits at Holetta and Ginchi in the central highlands of Ethiopia during the main cropping season. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at each location. The result revealed that a species of vetch respond differently (P < 0.05) for most measured traits at both locations. The tallest plant height was recorded for Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia atropurpurea at Holetta and Ginchi respectively. On the other hand, Vicia narbonensis had the shortest plant height at both locations. Vetch species which have an erect growth habit and shorter plant height had a fast biomass production rate than creeping and taller species. Late maturing vetch species gave higher forage dry matter and its morphological fraction yields than early maturing vetch species at both testing sites. Vicia villosa gave relatively higher dry matter yield, whereas Vicia narbonensis gave the lowest at both locations. Early maturing vetch species had comparatively shorter grain filling period and higher grain sink filling rate than intermediate to late maturing species. The highest number of pods per plant was obtained from Vicia villosa at Holetta and Vicia dasycarpa at Ginchi whereas Vicia narbonensis had the lowest at bothlocations. The highest pod length was obtained from Vicia narbonensis and Vicia sativa gave the highest number of seeds per pod. Vicia sativa and Vicia narbonensis gave the highest seed yield at Holetta and Ginchi, respectively. The highest thousand seed weight was recorded for Vicia narbonensis whereas the lowest for Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia villosa at Holetta and Ginchi, respectively. Moreover, forage quality of vetch species varied across testing sites. Vicia dasycarpa had the highest ash content, crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility than the remaining vetch species. Generally, late maturing vetch species had better forage dry matter yield and nutritional qualities than other vetch species and with this preliminary result, these vetch species are suggested for proper utilization as livestock feed in the central highlands of Ethiopia. However, furtherevaluation of the species over locations and years is very important to come up with a better recommendation.