Advantages of Mixing Common Vetch Cultivars Developed from Conventional Breeding Programs when Grown under Low-Input Farming System

Cultivar mixtures are suggested for low-input farming systems because they introduce functional diversity. The lack of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivars bred for and adapted to low-input farming systems raises the issue of whether the mixtures composed from varieties developed under conventional conditions can satisfy the demands of low-input agriculture. The objective of this project was to evaluate the performance of fi ve common vetch varieties and mixtures of these varieties in a low-input system. Three-year preliminary experiments were conducted among widely adapted cultivars bred under high-input conditions to select the most productive cultivars. Thus, fi ve common vetch cultivars and their mixtures were evaluated under low-input farming system (2007–2009). Dry matter (DM) production and crude protein content were measured for each entry. Mixture effect (ME) was calculated to measure the relative performance of a mixture over its components. Genotype main effect plus genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis was used to assess yield and stability. It was observed that ME for DM was positive for three mixtures over environments and ranged from 0.19 to 4.63 Mg ha −1 . GGE biplot analysis indicated that two of the previous three mixtures exhibited the greatest yield and stability. Crude protein values of the mixtures were at least comparable with their individual cultivar components. These results showed considerable advantages of mixing common vetch cultivars bred under high-input conditions for use in low-input farming system.