AGRONOMIC POTENTIAL OF 3 VETCHES (VICIA SPP) UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITIONS

The major limiting factor to livestock production in West Asia and North Africa is the inadequate feed supply. The introduction of leguminous forage species into fallow lands represents a means of increasing feed supplies for the rapidly growing livestock population. Twenty five lines each of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) wooly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa Ten.), and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) were tested over three seasons with contrasting rainfalls and winter temperatures. For each species, seedling vigour, winter growth, cold effect, spring growth, leafiness, herbage yield at 100 % flowering, grain yield, harvest index and aspects of herbage quality were recorded. There were considerable variation among entries with the same species, entries of V. ervilia were the earlier in flowering and maturity, and V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa almost the latest by 45 days. V. sativa, was the most affected by frost whilst both V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa and V. ervilia proved to be cold tolerant. Although V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa produced high herbage yield in springs its grain yield is low resulting in a low harvest index. Both V. ervilia and V. sativa produced high grain yield with high harvest index. Seed yield was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with days to flowering and maturity indicating the need of earlier types. Quality of the herbage in term of digestibility was far lower (46 % IVDMD) in V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa than the other two species (69 % and 72 %). The possible niches and utilization of each species as animal feed in the prevailing farming systems are discussed.