Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Legumes Department, Dryland Agriculture Research Institute of Iran, Sararood, Kermansha, Iran
2
Department of Plant Genetic and Production Engineering, Plant Improvement and Seed Production Center, Azad University, Isfahan Branch, Isfahan, Iran 2- Plant Improvement and Seed Production Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
The increasing global population and food scarcity, particularly in developing nations, have underscored the significance of fodder legumes in supplying livestock feed and related products (Shabani, 2012). Leguminous fodder plants are crucial in producing necessary livestock feed, reducing soil erosion, enhancing soil texture, utilizing low-yield areas, and transitioning rainfed agriculture toward sustainability (Alizadeh et al., 2017). Among these, Vicia panonica stands out as a key legume in cold regions due to its adaptability to environmental stresses and diverse applications, such as rejuvenating degraded pastures, providing high-quality and palatable fodder, improving soil structure, and supporting crop rotation (Dong et al., 2016; Tigka et al., 2016; Abbasi et al., 2014; Fırıncıoğlu, 2014; Kim et al., 2015). Significant variations in performance and tolerance to environmental stresses have been observed among vetch species (Abdi et al., 2023; Karimzadeh Negari et al., 2022). Determining the optimal planting density and timing is crucial for maximizing productivity (Ezueh, 1982). Shabani and Asadi (2024) investigated the effects of planting dates and plant density on vetch yield, revealing that these factors significantly influence yield and agronomic traits. The objective of the present study was to identify the optimal planting time, density, and row spacing for white flower vetch under rainfed conditions.
Materials and Methods
The study utilized a split-plot design within a complete randomized block design, with three replications, conducted at the Seraroud Agricultural Research Institute in Kermanshah during the cropping years 2020-2022. The main factors investigated included planting line distances (25 cm and 30 cm), planting dates (early November, mid-December, and mid-March), and seed densities (100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 plants/m2). Traits assessed were days to 50% flowering, days to pod formation, forage yield, dry fodder yield, days to physiological maturity, biomass yield, seed yield, and 100-seed weight. Data were analyzed using combined and simple ANOVA, mean comparisons with Duncan's test, and variance homogeneity with Hartley's Fmax. SAS 9.4 and MSTAT-C software facilitated the analysis.
Results and Discussion
Composite variance analysis revealed that the year significantly impacted all assessed traits, necessitating separate analyses for each year. Row spacing influenced plant height, days to maturity, and fresh and dry fodder yields in both years, with 30 cm spacing outperforming 25 cm. Planting dates also significantly affected all traits; autumn planting consistently produced higher yields of fodder, dry matter, seed, and biomass compared to spring plantings. Autumn planting also resulted in taller plants, greater 100-seed weight, and a longer ripening period. Seed density per square meter had a significant impact on all the traits studied. The highest fodder yields were obtained at seed densities of 250 and 300 seeds per square meter in the first and second years, respectively. For seed yield, the optimal densities were 250 seeds per square meter in the first year and 200 in the second. However, very high densities—above 250 seeds per square meter—resulted in reduced fodder and seed yields due to increased competition for nutrients, which also led to a decrease in 100-seed weight.
Due to the significant interaction effects in various traits, different planting densities were analyzed based on planting dates. A comparison of the means of two years revealed that for autumn planting, a density of 250 plants per m2 is preferred. This density demonstrated higher fresh forage content, greater dry matter, increased biological yield, larger grain weight (100-grain weight), and greater height compared to other densities. Conversely, densities of 100 and 300 plants per m2 exhibited the lowest performance in these traits and are therefore considered unsuitable for autumn planting. For both the waiting and spring planting dates, densities ranging from 150 to 250 plants per square meter are more advantageous than either 100 or 300 plants per square meter, as they show higher performance traits and shorter ripening periods. Overall, the best performance for fodder production was achieved in autumn planting and densities of 200 to 200 seeds per m2, while for seed production, densities of 150 to 250 seeds per m2 were recommended.
Conclusion
Vicia pannonica performs better when given more time to grow in favorable autumn weather conditions. Planting in autumn leads to a longer lifespan and greater resilience to environmental factors. Rainfall during autumn has a significant impact on yield, while planting in spring may decrease yield due to a lack of rainfall. It is recommended that Vicia pannonica be cultivated in autumn. Increasing planting density leads to higher fodder and plant biomass yield, while medium planting density results in higher grain yield. A reduction in planting density can elongate the duration of flowering, podding, and physiological ripening. Based on the obtained results, a row spacing of 30 cm, an autumn planting date, and a seed density of 200 to 2500 seeds per square meter are recommended for fodder production. For seed production, a density of 150 to 250 seeds per square meter is suggested for cultivating white-flowered vetch in cold and semi-arid regions.
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