Yield trials of Vicia sativa L. in the wheat belt of Western Australia

The response of Vicia sativa (cvv. Languedoc, Blanchefleur and Morava) and V. benghalensis (cv. Barloo) seed yield to seeding rate was examined in 9 field experiments across 2 years in south-western Australia. There were 2 types of field experiments: seeding rate (20, 40, 60, 100 and 140 kg/ha) × cultivar (Languedoc, Blanchefleur, and Morava or Barloo), and time of sowing (2 times of sowing of either Languedoc or Blanchefleur) × seeding rate (5,�7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha).A target density of 40 plants/m2 gave 'optimum' seed yield of vetch in south-western Australia. In high yielding situations, with a yield potential above 1.5 t/ha, the 'optimum' plant density for the early flowering cultivar Languedoc (85–97 days to 50% flowering) was increased to 60 plants/m2. The later flowering cultivar Blanchefleur (95–106 days to 50% flowering) had an optimum plant density of 33 plants/m2 at all sites, regardless of fitted maximum seed yield. Plant density in the range 31–38 plants/m2 was found to be adequate for dry matter production at maturity of Languedoc and Blanchefleur. For the remaining cultivars Barloo and Morava we were unable to determine an average optimum density for either dry matter or seed yield due to insufficient and/or inconsistent data.

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Growth and seed yield of vetches (Vicia spp.) in south-western Australia

Siddique¹,

Loss²

1996

Aust. J. Exp. Agric.

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The growth and seed yield of 5 vetch (Vicia) cultivars representing Vicia sativa, V. benghalensis and V. villosa were compared at 8 sites over 2 years in south-western Australia. The vetches showed considerable potential as grain and forage legume crops in the low to medium rainfall areas of the Western Australian cereal belt. Cultivars of V. sativa showed the most potential in terms of dry matter and seed yield, and on average across sites and seasons both Languedoc and Blanchefleur produced over 2.5 t/ha of dry matter at flowering: Machine-harvested seed yields were over 1.6 t/ha. Cultivars of V. benghalensis and V. villosa produced considerably less dry matter at flowering and had lower harvest index (0.14-0.42) and seed yield < 4 t/ha) when compared with the V. sativa cultivars, possibly due to their poor growth rates and delayed phenology. Early Purple, an early flowering and maturing selection from the V. benghalensis cultivar Popany, showed improved adaptation and seed yield at many low rainfall sites. Nevertheless, Languedoc, Blanchefleur and Early Popany are all considered late flowering (up to 126 days) compared with grain legumes adapted to this environment, and further improvement in vetch species could be achieved by selecting for more rapid development. Both soft-seededness and non-shattering pods should also be high priorities for vetch selection and/or breeding programs. It is concluded that vetch species may have a role in farming systems in Western Australia for the production of fodder, hay, grain or green manure while providing the other rotational benefits of legumes on fine-textured neutral to alkaline and shallow duplex soils where narrow-leafed lupin is poorly adapted.

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Yield trials of Vicia sativa L. in the wheat belt of Western Australia

Abstract: The results of three years' trials with introductions of Vicia sativa are summarized. Languedoc 466 (225), Nyabing and Blanchefleur are recommended for use in Western Australia for summer dry grazing.

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When and where will vetches have an impact as grain legumes?

When and where will vetches have an impact as grain legumes?

Response of vetch (Vicia spp.) to plant density in south-western Australia

Growth and seed yield of vetches (Vicia spp.) in south-western Australia

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