Evaluation of accessions of vetch species for agronomic performance under nitosol and vertisol conditions in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Vetch is an annual forage legume and accessions of its species performed differently under different soil conditions. Twenty accessions of five vetch species were evaluated for their agronomical differences at Holetta and Ginchi in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The rate of DM accumulation was similar during the initial growth stage. However, after the second sampling (74 DAS), aerial DM accumulation varied widely across the testing sites due to the difference in temperature, rainfall, and soil fertility conditions. The average stretched plant height was higher at Ginchi compared to Holetta, which could be attributed to higher and extended rainfall and favorable growing conditions during the experimental period. In addition to genetic variability, soil fertility and environmental conditions could also contribute to the difference in height. On average, about 10 and 20 more days were required to harvest forage and seed yield, respectively, at Ginchi compared to Holetta. Days to forage harvest ranged from 80.7 to 113.0 and 94.3 to 126.0 days after the emergence of the seedlings at Holetta and Ginchi, respectively. The difference in maturity is an important agronomic trait to select companion crops for maximum production. The higher biomass production rate was recorded at Ginchi than in Holetta. Accessions of early maturing vetch species had a comparatively higher biomass production rate, while late-maturing accessions had lower biomass production rates at both locations. Intermediate-to-late-maturing accessions of vetch species gave relatively better forage DM yield than early maturing accessions at both locations. The highest grain-filling period was recorded for accession 2424 (Vicia villosa) at Holetta and accession 64266 (Vicia sativa) at Ginchi. Vetch accessions showed higher seed yield and thousand seed weight at Ginchi than Holetta. The 20 accessions of vetch species were grouped into three clusters based on major measured parameters.