Investigating the Effect of Sowing Dates and Densities on Phenological Traits, Yield, and Yield Components in Vicia Dasycarpa
Akbar Shabani1* and Abouzar Asadi2
1Assistant Professor, Legumes Department, Dryland Agriculture Research Institute of Iran
2Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Genetic and Production Engineering, Plant Improvement and Seed Production Center, Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Akbar Shabani, Assistant Professor, Legumes Department, Dryland Agriculture Research Institute of Iran.
Published: March 04, 2024
Abstract
Vicia dasycarpa is a highly adaptable plant found naturally in many pastures and rainfed fields of Iran. It is suitable for arid and semi-arid regions. To study the sowing dates (autumn, waiting, spring), line spacing (25, 30 cm), and plant density (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 per m2) in Maragheh Vetch a split-split plot with a randomized complete block design in three replications was performed during 2020-2022. The result shows that the years, planting dates, and density of plants per m2 have a significant effect on all studied traits at 1%. The highest fodder, grain, and biomass yield, plant height, and weight of 100 seeds, as well as the longest flowering, podding, and physiological ripening days were achieved through autumn sowing in both years. The highest fodder and grain yield was achieved with 300 and 200 plants per m2 density, respectively. The plants with 150 and 200 per m2 dens were taller than others. While the highest weight of 100 seeds, and the longest flowering, podding, and physiological ripening days were obtained in 100 plants per m2 density. In conclusion, the study recommends autumn sowing, 200 to 300 plants per m2 density, and 30cm line spacing for the cultivation of Maragheh Vetch.
Keywords: Maragheh Vetch; Fodder; Line spacing; Dryland; cover plants
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