[en] Abstract
Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd) is a promising legume, drought tolerant, mainly used in the Mediterranean area for its grains as a source of proteins in animal feed. However, it is an underused crop cultivated in marginal soils. Ecological, agro-morphological, and bromatological diversity evaluations were conducted to study its reintroduction potential. Seeds of seventeen ecotypes were collected in seventeen farms located in Northern Morocco in 2018. The cultivation was realised during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons using a randomised complete block design with three replicates. Agro-morphological data were collected at the start of flowering, full flowering, and pod setting phenological stages. Yield component assessment and grain and straw bromatological characterisation were performed at maturity. The results indicated significant variations between ecotypes for almost all parameters and interesting results about yield (1 t ha–1) but lower protein content (22.9% of dry matter) compared to other ecotypes of the Mediterranean region. The estimated genetic parameters could emphasise the possibility of selecting highly productive and nutritive cultivars. However, interannual variations were also detected, making the selection of the ecotypes harder. No significant correlations were observed between agro-morphological and bromatological traits of grains and geographical distances. Multivariate analyses (principal component analysis and heatmap) clustered ecotypes into five groups, where the ecotypes included in the second cluster were the most interesting candidates for developing high-yielding and nutritive varieties. That is why this plant could be considered of interest, especially in these times of climate change.
Boukrouh, Soumaya ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH)
Noutfia, Ali
Moula, Nassim ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Méthodes expérimentales des animaux de laboratoire et éthique en expérimentation animale
Avril, Claire
Louvieaux, Julien
Hornick, Jean-Luc ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA) > Nutrition animale en milieu tropical
Chentouf, Mouad
Cabaraux, Jean-François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA) > Ecologie de la santé et des productions animales
Language :
English
Title :
Characterisation of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd) ecotypes: An ancient and promising legume
Publication date :
2024
Journal title :
Experimental Agriculture
ISSN :
0014-4797
eISSN :
1469-4441
Publisher :
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Volume :
60
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Development Goals :
13. Climate action 12. Responsible consumption and production 2. Zero hunger