Study on bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) as a non-traditional drought resistant grass-forage crop

Daniela Kertikova, Todor Kertikov

Abstract: The field experiment covers the period 2010 – 2012 and is representative of the conditions of Central North Bulgaria. The aim of this study was to determine the productive potential of bitter vetch such as alternative crop to overcome water deficit. It was found that the largest share in the green mass of bitter vetch occupy stems (47.9%), followed by that of leaves (34.6%) and the lowest proportion of inflorescences (17.6%). Average from the period yield of fresh mass is equal to 1925.4 kg/da, dry mass of 502.05 kg/da and crude protein feed of 84.1 kg/da. Grain production was 180.3 kg/da, as crude protein yields in years following the trend of grain yield. Bitter vetch vegetation period is in the range of from 85 to 100 days.

Keywords: bitter vetch; forage; grain; phenology; protein; yield

Date published: 2017-08-03