Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 2. Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.)

Intra-species variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as grain and straw yields and quality in narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis L.) were determined, and accessions were identified based on yield and quality attributes. Thirty-six narbon vetch accessions were grown over five cropping seasons in a non-tropical dryland environment in north-west Syria, and were harvested at maturity to determine straw and grain yields. Concentrations of straw crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD), as well as grain CP and tannins were analysed. Days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index (0.30–0.37), yields of straw (3311–4256 kg DM/ha) and grain (1470–1831 kg DM/ha) varied (P < 0.05) among accessions. Concentrations (g/kg DM) of straw CP (53–70), ADFom (253–269), aNDFom (436–532) and IVOMD (468–532 g/kg OM), as well as grain CP (307–331) and tannins (3.38–4.47) also varied (P < 0.05) among accessions. Grain yield and harvest index (r = 0.43, P < 0.05), as well as straw CP and aNDFom (r = −0.56, P < 0.01), and IVOMD and aNDFom (r = −0.62, P < 0.01) were weakly correlated. Results showed intra-species variations in grain and straw yields and quality determinants in narbon vetch, and demonstrated that promising narbon accessions can be selected for yield and quality. Accessions 2386, 2389, 2390, 2382, 2392, 2463, 2470, 2472, 2561, and 2704, had better potential for grain production in non-tropical dry areas.