Evaluation of Winter Vetch Varieties by Quality Indicators

Abstract

Biochemical assessment of the aboveground biomass of 8 winter vetch (Vicia villosa) varieties was performed in two stages of plant development - beginning of flowering and technical maturity of seeds. Field trial was carried out in the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2014-2016). The variability in crude protein (CP) content (5.55 - 6.12%), calcium (8.17 - 9.87) and phosphorus (5.34 - 6.74%) in both phenological stages was weak. The variation of crude fiber (CF) content (6.02 - 11.08%) and crude ash (CA) (7.42 - 10.88%) was found stronger. At the beginning of flowering with a higher crude protein content Asko 1 (21.78%) and BGE001076 (21.53%), phosphorus content BGE001076 (0.48%), BGE004222 and BGE000643 (0.47%) were distinguished. In the technical maturity stage with a high crude protein content BGE004222 (20.51%) and BGE001847 (20.07%) are characterized and with phosphorus BGE004222 (0.38%). Positive statistically significant relationship was found between the grain yield and crude protein content (r = 0.58).