Morpho-agronomic performance of vetch species and their accessions grown under nitosol and vertisol conditions in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Vetch is one of the promising forage legumes to mitigate the existing critical feed shortage problem in the Ethiopian highlands. The study was conducted to describe the morphological and agronomical traits and to examine the performances of vetch species and their accessions under nitosol and vertisol conditions in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Results: The result indicated that days to forage and seed harvest and plant height varied (P < 0.05) among vetch species and their accessions at both locations. Vicia narbonensis and Vicia sativa were early maturing; Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia atropurpurea were intermediate; and Vicia villosa was considered as late-maturing types of vetch species. Early-maturing vetch species and their accessions had comparatively higher biomass production rate, while late-maturing species and their accessions had lower biomass production rate at both locations. On the other hand, intermediate-to-late-maturing vetch species and their accessions gave relatively better forage dry matter yield than early-maturing vetch species and their accessions at both locations. Early-maturing vetch species and their accessions had comparatively shorter grain filling period and higher grain sink filling rate than intermediate-to-late-maturing species and their accessions. Vetch species and their accessions which have an erect growth habit and early maturity had comparatively higher thousand seed weight than creeping growth habit and intermediate-to-late maturity vetch species and their accessions. Conclusions: Generally, vetch species and their accessions had different growth features, phenology, forage and seed productivity. The generated information on vetch species and their accessions in this study gives a base for future compatibility study of cereals and non-legume forage crops. Among vetch species and their accessions, Vicia villosa, Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia atropurpurea species and their accessions have a potential for integration with other crops. However, the selected species and their accessions should be tested by integrating with different crops to come up with better recommendation to solve the feed problem of the Ethiopian highlands.