Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 3. Common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa L.)

Variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as yields and quality of hay, grain and straw among common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa L.) accessions were examined, and accessions were identified on the basis of yield and quality attributes. Forty-five common vetch accessions were grown over four cropping seasons in a Mediterranean environment in north-west Syria. Crops were harvested at flowering to estimate hay yield, and at maturity to estimate grain and straw yields, and harvest index. Concentrations of hay and straw crude protein (CP), acid (ADFom) and neutral (aNDFom) detergent fibre, and in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD), and grain CP were determined. Accessions varied (P<0.05) in days to flowering (78–96 days) and pod maturity (132–140 days), harvest index (0.17–0.37), as well as yields (kg/ha) of hay (2245–3383), straw (2572–4028), and grain (808–1743). Concentrations (g/kg DM) of hay CP (141–188), ADFom (262–287), aNDFom (364–435), and IVOMD (725–782 g/kg OM); straw CP (62–127), ADFom (334–353), aNDFom (387–505), and IVOMD (437–511 g/kg OM); and grain CP (266–316) also differed (P<0.05) among accessions. Harvest index was correlated with days to flowering (r = −0.74, P<0.001), and grain yield (r = 0.87, P<0.001). Straw CP was correlated with ADFom (r = −0.87, P<0.001), and aNDFom (r = −0.74, P<0.001). Grain CP was correlated with straw CP (r = 0.91, P<0.001), and ADFom (r = −0.84, P<0.001). Results revealed intra-species variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as yields and quality determinants of hay, grain and straw in common vetch, and showed that promising accessions can be selected in terms of yield and quality. Accessions 2023 and 2567 have better potential for hay and grain production in Mediterranean environments.