Study for yield and quality traits in 6 domestic populations of common vetch (Vicia sativa) grown under optimum and dry land farming system in Lorestan, Iran

In order to compare yield and forage quality, six local genotypes of common vetch (Vicia sativa) were sown in two separate experiments under irrigated and dry land farming system using randomize complete block design with three replications in khorramabad agricultural research station during 2005 and 2006. Data were collected for Forage fresh and dry matter (DM) yield, plant height and quality traits as: dry matter digestibility, (DMD), crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total ash. Results of combined analysis showed significant differences between two conditions for all of traits except DMD. The average values of DM (2.76 and 2.35 ton/ha), CP (24.8 and 21.6%), and WSC (10.9 and 12.9%) were obtained for Irrigated and drought condition respectively, indicated higher values of both DM yield and CP and lower values of WSC in Irrigated conditions. Genotype effect was significant for forage yield, plant height, WSC and NDF. Results of correlation coefficients showed that forage yield had positively correlated with plant height, WSC and CF and negatively correlated with CP. Whereas, WSC had positively correlated with DM yield, plant height and DMD and negatively correlated with CP, ADF, NDF and total ash. Using cluster analysis, 6 genotypes were classified into two groups. Using biplot diagram based on 5 drought resistance indices, six genotypes were scattered. Talarizan (Azna) with average values of 3.1 and 2.7 ton/ha DM yield for optimum and dry condition, respectively had higher values in both conditions and recommended for cultivation in more rainy regions of Lorestan province. Genotypes of Torshabad (Doruod) and Fahre (Aligudarz) with average values 2.55 and 2.72 ton/ha DM yield, respectively for drought condition, were identified as tolerant to dryness and identified for cultivation in dry land farming system. Genotypes of Doruod and Bawki (Azna) with average values of 2.39 and 3.01 ton/ha forage production in irrigated condition recognized as sensitive to dryness and recommended for cultivation in irrigated conditions. Among the productive genotypes, Fahre with average values of 12.74% WSC had good forage quality.