The effect of different levels of zincsulphate on quantitative and qualitative characteristics forage vetch species in dryland farming

Vetch (Vicia sp.) is one of the quality forage a plant which its role in livestock feed is of great significance. To study the effects of different levels zinc sulphatee on quantitative and qualitative species of forage vetch under Rain-fed conditions, an experiment was conducted at Research field of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University Iran, during 2009-2010. Treatments were Vetch species at three levels (Vicia narbonensis, V. sativa and V. dasycarpa) and four levels of zinc sulphate (0, 20, 40 and 60 Kg/h), which were arranged as a factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replicates. The traits evaluated were fresh and dry forage weight, protein yield and percentage, plant height and stem diameter. Results showed that all studied traits were significantly affected by zinc sulphate application (P>0.05). The maximum and minimum fresh and dry forage yield and protein yield were recorded in plots V. narbonensis and V. dasycarpa received 60 kg/h zinc sulphate, respectively. The highest and lowest crud protein percentage was found to be in plots with V. dasycarpa and V. narbonensis under no application of zinc sulphate , respectively. The highest plant height was obtained from V. dasycarpawith 40 kg/h zinc sulphate, while the lowest plant height was recorded for V. narbonensis under control treatment. The maximum and minimum stem diameter were related to V. narbonensis with 40 kg/h and V. dasycarpa with 60 kg/h, respectively. Considering the results of present study, it seems application of 60 kg/h is found to be good to obtain the optimal performance of forage.