Narbon Vetch Research Articles

A study on the qualitative and quantitative traits of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L.) in intercropping and sole cropping system under the interference and control of weeds in dry land farming conditions of Iran

In order to investigate the effect of intercropping and sole cropping of barley and narbon vetch with weed control and interference conditions on their qualitative and quantitative traits, this experiment was conducted with 5 levels of intercropping (seed contribution): sole cropping of narbon vetch, 75:25 (narbon vetch : barley), 50:50, 25:75 and sole cropping of barley. Two levels of weed control and weed interference in row replacement series system in the form of factorial was designed with Randomized Complete Blocked Design (RCBD) in 3 replications in the College of Agriculture, Lorestan University, from 2006 - 2007. Results showed that the interaction of weed and the contribution of complementary components of intercropping has significant effect on crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibers (NDF) content in barley. Maximum CP and NDF were related to sole cropping of barley (infected by weeds), and maximum CP with minimum NDF were related to (narbon vetch: barley) 75:25 treatment, so that 31% of CP decreased in sole cropping of barley (infected by weeds) when compared with 75:25 combination. NDF percentage in sole cropping increased to 16.6%, therefore 25:75 (narbon vetch: barley) combination was better than the others. So, in order to get proper percentage of protein and digestibility of forage for livestock, 75:25 (infected by weeds) combination is better, especially the combination of 25:75 (infected by weeds), due to its high protein content. The highest and lowest dry forage production of barley were related to its sole cropping (a control which is equal to 3.75 t/ha) and 75:25 barley (infected by weeds that are equal to 1.59 t/ha), respectively. Key words: Qualitative and quantitative, barley, narbon vetch, weed, dry land.

Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 2. Narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L.)

Intra-species variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as grain and straw yields and quality in narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L.) were determined, and accessions were identified based on yield and quality attributes. Thirty-six narbon vetch accessions were grown over five cropping seasons in a non-tropical dryland environment in north-west Syria, and were harvested at maturity to determine straw and grain yields. Concentrations of straw crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD), as well as grain CP and tannins were analysed. Days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index (0.30–0.37), yields of straw (3311–4256 kg DM/ha) and grain (1470–1831 kg DM/ha) varied ( P < 0.05) among accessions. Concentrations (g/kg DM) of straw CP (53–70), ADFom (253–269), aNDFom (436–532) and IVOMD (468–532 g/kg OM), as well as grain CP (307–331) and tannins (3.38–4.47) also varied ( P < 0.05) among accessions. Grain yield and harvest index ( r = 0.43, P < 0.05), as well as straw CP and aNDFom ( r = −0.56, P < 0.01), and IVOMD and aNDFom ( r = −0.62, P < 0.01) were weakly correlated. Results showed intra-species variations in grain and straw yields and quality determinants in narbon vetch, and demonstrated that promising narbon accessions can be selected for yield and quality. Accessions 2386, 2389, 2390, 2382, 2392, 2463, 2470, 2472, 2561, and 2704, had better potential for grain production in non-tropical dry areas.

Annual feed legume yield and quality in dryland environments in north-west Syria: 1. Herbage yield and quality

Promising accessions of common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.), narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L.) and grasspea ( Lathyrus sativus L.) adapted to non-tropical dry areas of Central and West Asia, and North Africa, where mean annual rainfall is 200–350 mm have been identified, but their herbage yield and quality under on-farm conditions are not documented. An on-farm study was conducted over two growing seasons in non-tropical wet and dry semi-arid environments in north-west Syria to evaluate effects of 0, 30, and 60 kg P/ha phosphate fertilizer rates on herbage yield and concentrations of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), and in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD) in the herbage of 11 promising accessions of common vetch (2556, 2604 and Local), narbon vetch (2561, 2383 and 2380) and grasspea (445, 476, 519, 527 and Local), with the aim of identifying accessions with suitable adaptation and quality herbage yield for specific environments. A split-plot design with phosphate fertilizer rates as main-plots and accessions as sub-plots was used. For each species, herbage yield was determined when 0.50 of the plants had flowered. Annual total rainfall averaged 283 mm and 140 mm for the wet and dry environments respectively during the two growing seasons. Herbage yield and the determinants of herbage quality varied (P<0.05) among the accessions and species within environments and growing seasons. The phosphate fertilizer rate×accessions and phosphate fertilizer rate×growing season interactions had no effect on herbage yield and quality. Herbage yield ranged from 695 to 3471 kg DM/ha and 404 to 2595 kg DM/ha in the wet and dry environments respectively. In the wet environment, the CP, ADFom, aNDFom and IVOMD concentrations ranges were: 156–258, 223–292, 243–349 g/kg DM and 603–670 g/kg OM respectively. Corresponding ranges for the dry environment were: 153–267, 186–275, 250–323 g/kg DM, and 565–648 g/kg OM respectively. The CP and aNDFom were associated ( r = −0.45 to −0.57, P<0.01) in the three species, while the ADFom and IVOMD were correlated ( r = −0.77, P<0.01) in the vetches. Grasspea accession 445 and narbon vetch accessions 2561 and 2380 showed high potential for quality herbage production in both environments.

Annual feed legume yield and quality in dryland environments in north-west Syria: 2. Grain and straw yield and straw quality

Little is known about on-farm performance of promising accessions of common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.), narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L.) and grasspea ( Lathyrus sativus L.) that are adapted to the non-tropical dry areas of Central and West Asia, and North Africa, where mean annual rainfall is 200–350 mm. An on-farm study was conducted over two growing seasons in non-tropical wet and dry semi-arid environments in north-west Syria to determine effects of 0, 30, and 60 kg P/ha phosphate fertilizer rates on grain and straw yields and concentrations of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), and in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD) in the straws of 11 promising accessions of common vetch (2556, 2604 and Local), narbon vetch (2561, 2383 and 2380) and grasspea (445, 476, 519, 527 and Local), with the aim of identifying accessions with suitable adaptation and grain and quality straw yields for specific environments. A split-plot design with phosphate fertilizer rates as main-plots and accessions as sub-plots was used. Annual total rainfall during the two cropping seasons averaged 283 mm in the wet, and 140 mm in the dry environments. Grain and straw yields and straw quality varied ( P<0.05) among the accessions and species within environments and cropping seasons. The accession × phosphate fertilizer rate and growing season × phosphate fertilizer rate interactions had no effect on grain and straw yields and straw quality. The vetches produced more ( P<0.05) grain and straw than the grasspea, but the grasspea straw CP and IVOMD were higher ( P<0.05) than those of the vetches in both environments. Grain yield ranged from 472 to 2205 kg DM/ha and 254 to 1346 kg DM/ha in the wet and dry environments, respectively. Ranges for straw CP, ADFom, aNDFom and IVOMD in the wet environment were 71–130, 305–390, 431–438 g/kg DM and 486–533 g/kg OM, respectively. Corresponding ranges in the dry environment were 82–151, 272–369, 359–478 g/kg DM and 486–549 g/kg OM, respectively. In both environments, the ADFom and aNDFom were correlated to the CP ( r = −0.44 to −0.90, P < 0.01) and IVOMD ( r = −0.28 to −0.86, P < 0.01), and the CP and IVOMD were correlated ( r = 0.35–0.75, P < 0.01) in the three species. In terms of grain and quality straw yields, narbon vetch accessions 2383 and 2380 had high potential in both environments.

In vitro plant regeneration from Turkish Narbon Vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L. var. narbonensis L. )

Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is an important forage species among vetches of central Europe, Mediterranean, Near East, Ethiopia, central Asia and India. The study reports in vitro micropropagation of narbon vetch using cotyledon node, shoot tip and zygotic embryo explants on MS medium containing 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 mg/l BAP. The highest number of 4.42 shoots was recorded on cotyledon node explants, which was followed by significantly reduced number of 3.40 and 3.54 shoots per explant on shoot tip and zygotic embryo with two cotyledons, respectively. Zygotic embryo with two cotyledons explant was recalcitrant and slow in regeneration compared to other explants but any concentration of BAP was sufficient for multiple shoot regeneration. Shoot length decreased statistically with increase in each concentration of BAP in the regeneration medium. 65.0% shoots rooted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l IBA and newly regenerated plants were acclimatized in the greenhouse.

In vitro plant regeneration from Narbon Vetch ( Vicia narbonensis L. ) using cotyledonary node explants

Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is an agriculturally important forage plant that widely grows in an area extending from Central Europe to various parts of Asia. The study reports axillary shoot regeneration from cotyledonary node explants obtained from, in vitro raised seeds of 4 - 5 and 14 - 15 days old seedlings on MS medium containing 2 - 6 mg/l kinetin-0.1 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). No shoot regeneration was recorded on 14 - 15 days old cotyledon node explants. Whereas, 4 - 5 days old cotyledon node explants showed high regeneration potential with the highest number of 3.85 shoots per explant, with mean shoot length of 2.11 cm and shoot regeneration frequency of 93.33%. The shoots obtained from all regeneration media could be easily rooted after pulse treatment with 50 mg/l IBA for 7 min. All of which were morphologically normal and fertile and easily established under greenhouse conditions.

Effects of phosphorus fertilisation and harvesting stages on forage yield and quality of narbon vetch

The effects of five different phosphorus rates (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha‐1) and three different harvesting stages (beginning of flowering, full flowering, and seed filling) on forage yield and quality of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) were evaluated under the Mediterranean conditions of Turkey in 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. Dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP), N, P, K, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were determined. Phosphorus rates and harvesting stages significantly affectedmost of the quality components determined in narbon vetch. Phosphorus applications increased DM yield, CP, N, P, Ca and Mg contents, decreased K, Fe, ADF and NDF, and had no effect on Mn, Cu and Zn. Harvesting at the late stages caused a reduction in forage quality. Crude protein, N, P, K, Cu, Zn and Mg contents decreased with advancing stages, while Ca, ADF and NDF contents increased.

Sources of resistance to broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) in narbon vetch

AbstractLittle is known about the levels of resistance to Orobanche crenata available in narbon vetch. A germplasm collection of 200 accessions of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) originating from different countries was screened for resistance to crenate broomrape under field conditions. Thirteen accessions were selected for more detailed screening under controlled conditions and for additional field testing. Resistance to O. crenata was manifested by lower germination of broomrape seeds, reduced emergence of Orobanche shoots and fewer root attachments per narbon vetch plant. Differences in pod yield among narbon vetch accessions were also found in response to Orobanche infestation. Finally, eight accessions were selected and identified as new sources of narbon vetch resistant to broomrape.

Potential of annual legumes for utilization in animal feeding

Pea and common vetch have been successfully grown for green forage and forage dry matter production, with yields higher than 30 t ha-1 of green forage and 7 t ha-1 of forage dry matter. Pea and faba bean have the greatest potential as feed annual legumes, with more than 5,000 kg ha-1 and harvest indexes of nearly 0.50. When cut in the stages of full flowering and first pods forming, the average crude protein content of forage dry matter in most annual legumes ranges about 200 g kg-1. Although most modern cultivars of pea contain between 250 and 270 g kg-1 of crude proteins of grain dry matter, they are characterized by a rather low content of antinutritive factors. Forage dry matter of annual legumes may be regarded as rich in lysine, with 13.9 g kg-1 in hairy vetch and 12.7 g kg-1 in common vetch. It is notable that Narbonne vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) is rather rich in lysine, with average values of more than 20 g kg--1, closely followed by grass pea, with average values of nearly 20 g kg--1. Common vetch, Narbonne vetch and pea have higher content of methionine in comparison to other annual legumes such as grass pea and lentil.

Use of Narbonne vetch grain (Vicia narbonensis) in Charolaise bull feeding: effect on in vitam and post mortem performances and on quality of meat

The addition of Narbonne vetch grain in the diet of 20 Charolaise bulls (420 ± 44 BW), during the finishing period (100 days), was investigated to study the effects on in vitam and post mortem performances and on quality of meat. No significant differences for ADWG (“Vetch” 1.55 kg/d vs. “Control” 1.40 kg/d; P = 0.34), FCR (“Vetch” 7.10 kg/kg vs. “Control” 7.49 kg/kg; P = 0.93) and yield (“Vetch” 60.97% vs. “Control” 62.13%: P = 0.33) were observed. The nutritional and physical characteristics of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle showed no significant differences for Crude Protein (“Vetch” 22.47 vs. “Control” 22.36; P = 0.80), Fat (“Vetch” 2.56 vs “Control” 2.49; P = 0.87), Energy (“Vetch” 1130 vs. “Control” 1119; P = 0.79), TBARs (“Vetch” 0.063 vs. “Control” 0.069; P = 0.72), Luminosity (“Vetch” 46.47 vs. “Control” 43.43; P = 0.11), Hue (“Vetch” 0.6 vs. “Control” 0.6; P = 0.16), Chrome (“Vetch” 27.64 vs. “Control” 25.5; P = 0.56), Cooking loss (“Vetch” 26.77% vs. “Control” 28.62%; P = 0.33) and WBS (“Vetch” 3.4 kg f/cm2 vs. “Control” 3.3 kg f/cm2 ;P = 0.76). These preliminary results show interest towards the vetch grain as a protein source in the finishing period of bulls.

Some Physiological and Histological Changes in the Broilers Fed Gagoz Seeds (Narbon vetch)

Some Physiological and Histological Changes in the Broilers Fed Gagoz Seeds (Narbon vetch)

Effects of seeding rate and date and phosphorus application on growth and yield of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis)

Des experiences aux champs ont ete conduites pendant les saisons hivernales de 1999-2000 et 2000-2001 dans la region semi-aride du Nord de la Jordanie, pour etudier l'effet sur le rendement de la vesce de Narbonne (Vicia Narbonensis) des facteurs suivants : date de semis (14 janvier, 28 janvier et 12 fevrier), densite de semis (40, 60 et 80 plantes.m -2 ), fertilisation phosphatee (17,5, 35,0 et 52,5 kg.ha -1 P) et 2 methodes de repartition du P (place avec la semence au moment du semis a 6 cm de profondeur [en ligne] ou disperse sur l'ensemble de la surface du sol et incorporee dans les 2 cm de la couche superficielle du sol avant le semis [a la volee]). La date et la densite de semis et la dose de P ont un effet significatif sur la majorite des caracteristiques mesurees et des composantes du rendement. La methode d'application du P a seulement un effet significatif sur le rendement en graine, le nombre de gousses par plante, le nombre de graines par gousse, le nombre de branches primaires par plante, le poids de 100 grains, la longueur des gousses et le poids des grains par plante. En general, les resultats ont revele que la combinaison d'un semis precoce (14 janvier), d'une densite de semis elevee (80 plantes.m -2 ) et d'une application de P (52,5 kg.ha -1 P) deposee avec les semences (semis en ligne) est prometteuse pour l'obtention du maximum de rendement pour la vesce de narbonne.

Physical mapping of 18S-5.8S-26S and 5S ribosomal RNA gene families in three important vetches (Vicia species) and their allied taxa constituting three species complexes

The most-important vetch species, Vicia narbonensis (narbon vetch, section Faba), Vicia villosa (hairy vetch, section Cracca) and Vicia sativa (common vetch, section Vicia) and their close relatives (often difficult to circumscribe into distinct taxa) constitute respectively, Narbonensis, Villosa and Sativa species complexes in the genus Vicia. The distribution of the 18S-5.8S-26S (18S-26S) and 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene families on the chromosomes of 19 (2n=2x=10,12,14) of the 24 species and subspecies belonging to the three species complexes, and Vicia bithynica (2n=12, section Faba) and Vicia hybrida (2n=12, section Hypechusa) was studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with pTa 71 (18S-26S rDNA) and pTa 794 (5S rDNA) DNA clones. Computer – aided chromosome analysis was performed on the basis of chromosome length, the arm-length ratio and the position of the hybridization signals. The positions of the four (2+2) signals of the two rRNA gene families were similar between each of the three, as well as two subspecies of V. narbonensis and Vicia johannis, respectively. Two major 18S-26S rDNA loci were found in the nucleolus organiser regions (NORs) of each of the species except V. hybrida, where it was present in two out of four SAT chromosomes. In addition to major NORs, two minor loci have been physically mapped at the centromeric regions of chromosomes of group 1 in Vicia amphicarpa, Vicia macrocarpa and V. sativa, and two NORs of group 5 in V. hybrida, and on the long arms of group 4 in V. bithynica. Two or four 5S rDNA loci, observed in the short arms of groups 2–4 and 5, and 18S-26S rDNA loci were located in different chromosomes of all the species within the Narbonensis and Villosa species complexes, and Vicia angustifolia of the Sativa species complex. In the remaining six species of the Sativa species complex, and V. bithynica and V. hybrida, the two or four 5S rDNA sites were present in chromosomes which harbor 18S-26S rRNA genes. The tandemly repeated 5S rDNA sites, located at the proximal part of the long arm of groups 3–5, were diagnostic for V. angustifolia, Vicia cordata, Vicia incisa, V. macrocarpa, Vicia nigra and V. sativa of the Sativa species complex. In V. amphicarpa of the same complex, the tandem repeats were located at the distal part of the long arms of group 3. Variability in the number, size and location of two ribosomal DNA probes could generally distinguish species within the Narbonensis and Sativa species complex, V. bithynica and V. hybrida. With respect to the four species of the Villosa species complex the karyotypes could not be identified individually on the basis of the distribution of two ribosomal gene families in three out of seven pairs of chromosomes.

EFFECT OF DATES AND RATES OF SOWING ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF NARBON VETCH UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS

Field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 at Houfa in northern Jordan, to study the effect of the date and rate of sowing on the yield and yield components of narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.). Progressive delays in sowing beyond 1 st January led to yield reductions of 11.1 and 17.9 at successive 15-day intervals. Plant height, pods stem –1, stems m –2 and 1000-grain weight followed the same trend as the yield. Grain yield was not significantly affected by the sowing rate.

Chemical composition, digestibility and in situ degradability of narbon vetch grain and straw grown in a Mediterranean region

Apparent digestibility of narbon vetch ( Vicia narbonensis)grain and straw were mea- sured using four Chios wether sheep per foodstuff. In another trial, the in situ degradation of narbon vetch grain and straw in the rumen of three Chios ewes were measured. The crude protein (CP) and in vitro organic matter digestibility values were 23.4 and 87.6 for narbon vetch grain and 7.4 and 44.8% for narbon vetch straw. In vivo apparent digestion coefficients of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and CP were for narbon vetch grain 78, 80 and 75% and for narbon vetch straw 44, 42 and 47%, respec- tively. The effective degradability (outflow rate 0.05 .h -1 ) for narbon vetch grain and straw were for CP 74 and 31% (corrected for microbial contamination) and for DM 64 and 36%, respectively.

Long-term yield patterns in barley-based cropping systems in Northern Syria. 2. The role of feed legumes

Rotations of barley with feed legumes produce more biomass and crude protein than barley-fallow and continuous barley sequences, but scope remains to improve the potential value to farmers of feed legume-based systems. This paper summarizes 6-year results from two sites from 2-year rotations of barley with: narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis) and lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus), each harvested mature; and common vetch (Vicia sativa), harvested by simulated green-grazing and mature, all in factorial combination with four NP fertilizer regimes applied biennially to the barley.Mean yield differences between rotations were quite small, but at the drier site the narbon vetch rotation was significantly superior in both total biomass and crop total nitrogen. Other results implied yield compensation between barley and legume phases: barley performance was relatively depressed at the wetter site after high-yielding narbon vetch but was relatively enhanced at both sites after green-grazed common vetch. Evidence from year-round soil-water monitoring suggests that the benefit following green grazing may have arisen, in part, from a small carry-over of profile moisture between crops not much inferior to that residual from a fallow year. Both crop phases responded strongly to biennial P fertilizer; and barley responded strongly to three rates of N-fertilizer, but a sometimes significant curvilinear component to this response reflected a tendency for grain yields to be depressed by added nitrogen in the driest years. But interactions between N-rates and rotations were not significant.It was concluded that narbon vetch may have greater potential than common vetch and lathyrus for mature harvest in drier areas, but its unsuitability for grazing green is a limitation. Flexibility of utilization is important, to accommodate the needs of different farmers and the exigencies of different seasons. The green-graze option has major potential where there is a demand for high-quality spring grazing; and indications that barley may be as productive after green-grazed vetch as after a year of fallow suggest an alternative approach for farmers who have previously avoided legumes in order to maximize barley production.

Sources of resistance to downy mildew in narbon (Vicia narbonensis) and common (Vicia sativa) vetches.

Downy mildew (Peronospora viciae (Berk) de Bary) is an important disease of vetches (Vicia spp.) in the Mediterranean Region. Narbon and common vetch germplasm accessions originating from different countries, and advanced breeding narbon vetch genotypes, were evaluated for reaction to downy mildew for two seasons under field conditions. In narbon vetch, there were resistant sources from both germplasm accessions and advanced genotypes. From the germplasm accessions, 25 accessions were resistant while from the advanced breeding genotypes, 10 had resistance, with 2–3 ratings. In common vetch, many accessions were highly resistant to downy mildew. These were widely distributed in different countries, mainly Turkey, Italy, Syria and Iran. In general, common vetch had higher sources of resistance than the narbon vetch accessions. These new sources of resistance to downy mildew will be incorporated into the forage legume improvement project in a continuous effort to identify cultivars suitable for replacing fallow in the cereal-based cropping systems.

Effect of Genotypes and Plant Maturity on Forage Quality of Certain Forage Legume Species Under Rainfed Conditions

AbstractEvaluation of plant species for animal feed requires the quantitative and qualitative comparison of different genotypes. Promising lines of annual legumes comprising seven genotypes of vetche (Vicia spp.) and chicklings (Lathyrus spp.) were compared for herbage quality. The content of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in herbage and pods were measured at different stages of plant maturity. The proportion of the leaves to shoots (leafiness) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were also determined. As plants matured IVDMD, CP and leafiness decreased and NDF and ADF increased. For all the genotypes maximum digestible dry matter (DDM) and CP yields were more or less attained at 50–100 % podding. Narbon vetch had the highest DDM. The possible uses of the different genotypes as animal feed are discussed based on the partitioning of the DDM and CP yield as plants matured.

Growth Analysis, Herbage and Seed Yield of Certain Forage Legume Species Under Rainfed Conditions

AbstractThe need to increase forage production for the growing livestock population in the Mediterranean region necessitates the evaluation of various promising forage species with respect to maximum herbage yield, optimum time for harvest and seed yield. Seven forage legumes, woolly pod vetch (Vicia villosa subsp. dasycarpa accession 683), narbon vetch (V. narbonensis accession 67), common vetch (V. sativa selections 2541, 2037, 2020), common chickling (Lathyrus sativus selection 439) and ochrus chickling (L. ochrus selection 104) were compared over two years with contrasting rainfall. In both years the entries were sown in November and their primary growths sampled periodically during growth. For each sample, phenology, total dry matter, leaf area index (LAI) and, at maturity, total dry matter, seed yield and harvest index, were recorded.In both seasons, narbon vetch attained the highest dry matter and seed yields, and there was very limited variability in the maximum dry matter yield of the other entries. In general, the maximum dry matter occurred at 20–50 % podding in woolly pod vetch, 100 % podding in common vetch selection 2541 (local), narbon vetch and common chickling and at maturity in common vetch selection 2037, selection 2020 and ochrus chickling.Throughout the vegetative to early flowering stages, woolly pod vetch had the highest dry matter yield and LAI. Possible uses of each species as animal feed are discussed.

Yield stability of selected forage vetches (Vicia spp.) under rainfed conditions in west Asia

SummaryWith the current high prices for livestock, forage legumes are increasingly attractive to farmers in west Asia. There has been very little genetic improvement of the main species, of which three vetches, Vicia saliva (common vetch), V. villosa subsp. dasycarpa (woollypod vetch), and V. narbonensis (Narbon vetch), show promise. As a first step in genetic improvement 23 genotypes of common vetch and one each of woollypod vetch and Narbon vetch were grown at four sites in Syria and one in Lebanon over three seasons. Since local climatic conditions were considered to be of considerable importance, each site in each year was treated as a separate environment, to give 15 environments in all. genotype × environment (G × E) interactions were analysed using linear regression.There was considerable variation in herbage and seed yields within both genotypes and environments, and G × E interactions were highly significant. In the case of herbage yield good environments could be defined as those receiving high rainfall and low incidence of frost. Several genotypes appeared to possess wide adaptation, in terms of both yield and stability. Climate, except for late spring rains, had little effect on seed yield, nor were any of the genotypes widely adapted. However, in the broad sense heritability was much higher for seed than for herbage yield.There is a need to define good and bad environments for seed yield. Based on observations during the study it is likely that good environments for Narbon vetch are those where broomrape (Orobanche crenata) is absent, while root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne artiella) may affect seed yield of common vetch. In view of its high seed yield the possible role of Narbon vetch as a grain legume is briefly discussed.