SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.13 número4Efecto de la cobertura del suelo sobre el crecimiento y productividad del zacate buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) en suelos degradados de zonas áridas índice de autoresíndice de materiabúsqueda de artículos
Home Pagelista alfabética de revistas  

Servicios Personalizados

Revista

Articulo

Indicadores

Links relacionados

  • No hay artículos similaresSimilares en SciELO

Compartir


Revista mexicana de ciencias pecuarias

versión On-line ISSN 2448-6698versión impresa ISSN 2007-1124

Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias vol.13 no.4 Mérida oct./dic. 2022  Epub 11-Nov-2022

https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v13i4.6125 

Articles

Evaluation of morphological and yield traits in the populations of Vicia spp.

Hamideh Javadia  * 

Parvin Salehi Shanjania 

Leila Falah Hoseinia 

Masoumeh Ramazani Yeganeha 

a Gene Bank of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Tehran, Iran.


Abstract

The study was focused on estimation of genotypic variation for the morphological and forage yield traits of some vetch genotypes to assess their breeding potential. A small-plot trial was carried out in 2018-2020 at the experimental field of the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Alborz province, Iran. Fifty eight (58) vetch genotypes of Vicia spp. from the natural resources gene bank of Iran, were tested. There was significant (P<0.01) genotypic variation among populations, for all the traits measured. V.monantha (32845) produced high plant and large pods, while V. villosa (322) produced more biomass than other accessions. In the shorter growing seasons, the earliness of V. sativa var.angustifollia (4740,7243), V. sativa var.stenophylla (1862), V. villosa (315, 322) resulted in high seed yield. The principal component analysis showed that the variations observed were mainly caused by traits such as days to flowering and seed ripening and seed traits, that their contribution was important in discriminating the populations. Direct selection can also be made for the populations with high biomass yield based on the recorded performance of these populations during the field experiments. A cluster analysis of the tested vetch populations based on measured traits, at 11.49 genetic distance, created five main groups that showed the similarity of members of each group. Generally, vetch species and their populations had different growth features, phenology, forage and seed productivity. The generated information in this study gives a base for genetics variety of genus Vicia L. and could be useful for including in the future breeding programs.

Key words Biomass yield; Morphological traits; Phenology; Seed yield; Vicia spp

Resumen

El estudio se centró en el cálculo de la variación genotípica para las características morfológicas y de rendimiento de forraje de algunos genotipos de alverja para evaluar su potencial de mejora. En 2018-2020 se llevó a cabo un ensayo en pequeñas parcelas en el campo experimental del Instituto de Investigación de Bosques y Pastizales, provincia de Alborz, Irán. Se analizaron cincuenta y ocho (58) genotipos de alverja (Vicia spp.) del banco de genes de recursos naturales de Irán. Hubo una variación genotípica significativa (P<0.01) entre las poblaciones, para todas las características medidas. V. monantha (32845) produjo una planta alta y de vainas grandes, mientras que V. villosa (322) produjo más biomasa que otras variedades. En las estaciones de crecimiento más cortas, la precocidad de V. sativa var. angustifollia (4740,7243), V. sativa var. stenophylla (1862), V. villosa (315, 322) dio lugar a una elevada producción de semillas. También es posible hacer una selección directa de las poblaciones con un alto rendimiento de biomasa basándose en el rendimiento registrado de estas poblaciones durante los experimentos de campo. Un análisis de conglomerados de las poblaciones de arveja analizadas, basado en las características medidas, con una distancia genética de 11.49, creó cinco grupos principales que mostraron la similitud de los miembros de cada grupo. En general, las especies de arveja y sus poblaciones presentaron características de crecimiento, fenología, productividad de forraje y semillas diferentes. La información generada en este estudio proporciona una base para la variedad genética del género Vicia L. y podría ser útil incluirla en los futuros programas de mejoramiento genético.

Palabras clave Rendimiento de biomasa; Características morfológicas; Fenología; Rendimiento de semillas; Vicia spp

Introduction

Vicia L. is a genus with around 232 species in the world and 45 species in Iran, from the legume family, Fabaceae, as an annual and perennial herb. These species have been known by the common name vetches. The genus is primarily found in the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions, such as in Iran, Anatoly, Caucasus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Talesh, Syria, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Jordan, North Africa, Greece, Pakistan, and Palestine1. Vetches are short-lived forage plants that are highly resistant to cold and dehydration conditions and can be grown in rainfed and irrigated climates. They fix nitrogen in the soil by fixation in root nodes, and help to soil erosion by planting in sloping areas2,3. As a legume crop, it provides nitrogen to the soil and reduces the incidence of diseases in succeeding non-leguminous crops. Their widespread adaptation and excellent capacities to produce biomass make them very attractive to farmers4. One attraction of vetch is its versatility, which permits diverse utilization as either ruminant feed or green manure. Because of rapid growth in the first year, different species of Vicia spp. can be used to improve overall livestock, feed quality, improve soils, agriculture for fodder, green manure, human nutrition, and the pharmaceutical industry5.

Iran is a genetics resources of the genus Vicia and it is widely distributed in different habitats and conditions. Most of the plants in Vicia genus show more variety in morphological traits and sometimes it is difficult to distinguish species of this genus6,7.

Genetic variation among Vicia genotypes is imperative for their efficient utilization in plant breeding schemes and effective conservation. Diversity studies available in germplasm, collections have been performed on many plant species for Vicia genus from different regions of the world. In comparison to other annual forage legumes, advances in breeding vetches (Vicia spp.) are rather modest. It has been one of the morphological characteristics of the plant reported in V. sativa8-14, V. faba15, V. narbonensis8,10,11,15, V. ervilia16, V. villosa10,11, V. atropurpurea11, V. dasycarpa8, V. hybrid, V. pannonica, V. lutea, V. peregrine, V. lathyroides and V. grandiflora11.

There are 335 accessions of 25 Vicia spp. in natural resources gene bank of Iran, that have been collected from different geographical regions of Iran. In this study, it was aimed to determine some morphological characteristics and forage yields of different vetch genotypes by collecting from natural flora of Iran region. The present study was focused on the estimation of genotypic variation for 12 morphological traits within the V. michauxii, V. michauxii var.stenophylla, V. monantha, V. narbonensis, V. sativa with three varieties: V. sativa var.angustifollia, V. sativa var.cordata, V. sativa var.sativa and V. villosa, to assess their breeding potential and suitability for developing novel common vetch lines with improved agronomic characteristics related to grain production and quality.

Material and methods

Germplasm

A total of 58 germplasm populations were evaluated in this study. This consisted of 1 V. michauxii, 1 V. michauxii var.stenophylla, 1 V. monanta, 1 V. narbonensis, 34 V. sativa, 9 V. sativa var.angustifollia, 1 V. sativa var.cordata, 4 V. sativa var.sativa and 6 V. villosa. The populations were acquired from the Natural Resources Genebank of Iran (Table 1).

Table 1 The list of studied 58 vetch (Vicia spp.) populations 

Taxon Code Abbre.
code
Origin, province Longitude Latitude Altitude (m asl)
V. michauxii 2944 Vmi East Azerbaijan, Kaleybar 47° 02´ 38° 51´ 1500
V. michauxii var.stenophylla 37129 Vmis Qom 50° 56´ 34° 11´ 2482
V. monantha 32845 Vmo Kermanshah 47° 14´ 34° 1338
V. narbonensis 34878 Vn Lorestan, Aleshtar 48° 10´ 33° 45´ 1495
V. sativa 5321 Vs East Azerbaijan 46° 16´ 37° 54´ 1750
6646 Vs Lorestan, Kohdasht 33° 40´ 47° 30´ 1200
6654 Vs Lorestan, Kohdasht 33° 17´ 47° 27´ 1130
6681 Vs Lorestan, Kohdasht 33° 32´ 47° 37´ 1260
11760 Vs Gilan, Rezvanshahr 37° 31´ 49° 13´ 280
11761 Vs Gilan, Rasht 36° 51´ 49° 37´ 80
11762 Vs Gilan, Rezvanshahr 37° 37´ 49° 07´ 280
11763 Vs Gilan, Rasht 37° 59´ 49° 33´ 100
11764 Vs Gilan, Talesh 37° 32´ 45° 55´ 280
11771 Vs Gilan, Talesh 37° 42´ 48° 55´ 150
11772 Vs Gilan, Rezvanshahr 37° 32´ 49° 07´ 20
11774 Vs Gilan, Rasht 37° 11´ 49° 39´ 120
24062 Vs Gilan, Astaneh Ashrafiyyeh 37° 20´ 49° 47´ 25
24069 Vs Gilan, Chabuksar 36° 56´ 50° 32´ 170
24074 Vs Gilan, Astaneh Ashrafiyyeh 37° 19´ 50° 07´ 16
24076 Vs Gilan, Chabuksar 36° 57´ 50° 35´ 210
24084 Vs Gilan, Rahimabad 37° 02´ 50° 18´ 40
24097 Vs Gilan, Rahimabad 37° 01´ 50° 17´ 45
32972 Vs Kermanshah, Hersin 34° 13´ 47° 25´ 1367
33456 Vs Hamadan 47° 57´ 34° 24´ 1545
38517 Vs Gilan, Siyahkal 49° 57´ 36° 59´ 342
38523 Vs Gilan, Talesh 49° 37° 36´ 405
38526 Vs Gilan 48° 46´ 37° 41´ 827
38527 Vs Gilan, Astra 48° 58´ 38° 24´ 21
38528 Vs Gilan, Rudsar 50° 12´ 36° 48´ 608
38531 Vs Gilan, Rezvan shahr 49° 20´ 37° 30´ 315
38532 Vs Gilan, Talesh 49° 37° 37´ 450
38533 Vs* Gilan 38° 10´ 48° 20´ 600
38536 Vs* Gilan 36° 54´ 49° 26´ 577
40310 Vs Kermanshah, Salase babajani 34° 49´ 46° 05´ 1395
40315 Vs Kermanshah, Salase babajani 34° 49´ 46° 05´ 1395
40326 Vs Kermanshah, Javanrud 34° 48´ 46° 33´ 1525
40334 Vs Kermanshah, Salase babajani 34° 51´ 46° 01´ 1395
43100 Vs Khozestan, Masjed soliman 31° 56 49° 18´ 870
V. sativa var.angustifollia 38524 Vsa Gilan, Siahkal 50° 14´ 36° 53´ 670
38525 Vsa Gilan, Talesh 48° 51´ 37° 41´ 281
38530 Vsa Gilan, Talesh 48° 52´ 37° 41´ 215
38534 Vsa Gilan, Rasht 49° 35´ 37° 137
38535 Vsa Gilan, Rodbar 49° 40´ 36° 46´ 968
38537 Vsa Gilan, Gilan 49° 31´ 36° 56´ 187
4740 Vsa Ilam, Ivan 46° 26´ 33° 38´ 1170
7243 Vsa Kohkiloye ve Boyerahmad, Firozabad 52° 57´ 28° 86 1900
38529 Vsa Gilan, Rezvan shahr 49° 37° 28´ 307
V. sativa var.cordata 34295 Vsc Gilan, Rezvan shahr 49° 37° 36´ 310
V. sativa var.sativa 1862 Vss Kermanshah 47° 06´ 34° 31´ 1350
24631 Vss Kermanshah 47° 06´ 34° 31´ 1400
29802 Vss Kohkiloye ve Boyerahmad 30° 59´ 51° 07´ 2380
32900 Vss Kermanshah 34° 16´ 46° 09´ 1444
V. villosa 315 Vv Alborz, Karaj 35° 83´ 51° 01´ 1460
322 Vv Karaj 35° 83´ 51° 01´ 1470
6268 Vv Fars, Shiraz, Sepidan, Sheshpir 30° 25´ 51° 98´ 2350
14561 Vv Merkezi, Arak 34° 09´ 49° 70´ 1730
28061 Vv Ardabil 38° 25´ 48° 29´ 1350
34212 Vv Chahar-mahale Bakhtiyari, Borujen 31° 46´ 50° 59´ 2600

Field trial

Seed of all 58 populations were sown in seedling pots (December 2018). Then planting and maintenance operations were carried out in the field at the research field of Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Alborz province, Iran (2018-2020). A week before planting, the soil was prepared as a fine seedbed to enhance good seedling establishment. The field experimental layout was a One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) designed. The row and plant spacings were 100 and 40 cm, respectively. The trial was managed according to previouse experiences (several hand weeding was practiced, the first hand weeding was made 40 d after crop emergence, and then repeated every forty days until the end of the growing season, to minimize yield reduction due to weed competitions for soil nutrients, water and solar radiation). Irrigation was applied during the trial. The populations were harvested for seed during the period July to November 2020, depending on their maturity.

Morphological traits

Ten plants (normal growth, uniform performance, disease- and insect pest-free) of each 58 Vicia populations were evaluated by 12 different quantitative traits including day to spourat (day to germination), days to first flowering, days to total flowering, days to maturity (days to seed ripening), plant height (at 50 % flowering, cm), internode length (second internode at 50 % flowering, cm), stems number, pod length (cm), pod width (cm), pod index (pod length/width), biomass yield (plant fresh weight) (g), and plant dry weight (g)17.

Data analysis

Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SAS software system18. Significant differences among the mean values of 12 traits were compared the DMRT Duncan test. Pearson correlation was determined using SPSS v.21. To evaluate the information contained in the collected morphological data, principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out by Minitab software (version 15). PCA was used to identify the most important traits (plant height, internode length, stems number, pod length, pod width, pod index, biomass yield, dry weight, day to sprout, days to first flowering, days to total flowering, days to maturity) in the data set. Mean values populations were used to create a correlation matrix from which the standardized PCA scores were extracted and a Scatter plot on the first two PCA was performed. Cluster analysis was performed using Ward’s methods and Euclidean distance and a dendrogram was calculated.

Results

The results of analysis variance revealed significant (P<0.01) variation for eight morphological and yield traits among taxa and populations of Vicia spp. except for pod width trait among populations (Table 2). Table 3 shows the comparison of mean morphological and yield traits in nine taxa of Vicia spp. The value of plant height, internode length and stems number differ between 24.50-150 cm, 3.29-15 cm and 2.81-9, respectively. The highest value of plant height (150 cm), stems number (9) and internode length (15 cm), were shown in V. monantha (Vmo) and V. michauxii var. stenophylla (Vmis), respectively. The variation of pod length between taxa was significant and it differs from1.06 cm in V. sativa var.cordata (Vsc) to 4 cm in V. monantha (Vmo). There was no significant difference in pod width between taxa and they located as two groups (a and b), so two taxa of V. michauxii (Vmi and Vmis) had the widest pod (1.14 and 1.1 cm). Despite the significant differences in biomass yield and dry weight traits, V. villosa (Vv) showed the most value of these traits (biomass yield=60.12 g and dry weight=15.63 g).

Table 2 Analysis variance of eight morphological traits of 58 vetch (Vicia spp.) populations 

Source of
Variations
Degrees of
freedom (d.f)
Plant
height
Internode
length
Stem
number
Pod
length
Pod
width
Pod
index
Biomass
yield
Dry
weight
Taxon 8 3770.70** 48.92** 25.93** 5.23** 0.47** 9.19** 3809.63** 223.70**
Population 48 905.59** 12.11** 15.62** 1.89** 0.06 ns 7.76** 1967.42** 202.36**
Error 150 346.70 2.28 2.58 0.39 0.05 1.30 218.67 18.08
CV % 35.88 29.18 32.38 22.77 39.08 22.53 44.56 48.83

*, ** significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels, respectively; ns not significant.

Table 3 Means comparison of 8 traits in different species of Visia spp. 

Species Plant height
(cm)
Internode
Length (cm)
Stems
number
Pop
length
Pod width
(cm)
Pod
index
Biomass
Yield (g)
Dry
weight (g)
V. michauxii (Vmi) 63.38 cd 6.56 bc 2.81 b 2.54 bc 1.14 a 4.36 b 9.59 cd 5.46 bc
V. michauxii var. stenophylla (Vmis) 100.0 b 15.0 a 5.0 b 2.5 bc 1.1 a 2.27 c 20.0 bd 5.0 bc
V. monantha (Vmo) 150.0 a 8.0 b 9.0 a 4.0 a 0.6 b 6.67 a 0.06 d 0.01 c
V.narbonensis (Vn) 24.50 e 4.75 cd 3.0 b 3.3 ab 0.65 b 5.1 ab 5.13 cd 1.15 c
V. sativa (Vs) 48.41 de 4.8 cd 5.08 b 2.88 bc 0.56 b 5.33 ab 35.06 b 9.16 ab
V. sativa var. angustifollia (Vsa) 45.07 de 6.9 bc 4.6 b 3.27 ab 0.60 b 5.48 ab 19.03 bd 5.18 bc
V. sativa var. cordata (Vsc) 85.13 bc 8.69 b 8.75 a 1.06 d 0.29 b 3.75 bc 27.92 bc 6.92 bc
V. sativa var. sativa (Vss) 54.67 ce 3.29 d 4.58 b 2.0 cd 0.5 b 4.0 bc 41.08 ab 9.32 ab
V. villosa (Vv) 63.56 cd 3.36 d 4.5 b 2.17 c 0.51 b 4.26 b 60.12 a 15.63 a

Fifty eight (58) populations of Vicia spp. were compared for vegetative and phenology traits (Table 4). There was a wide range of value in plant height from 19 cm in V. sativa var.angustifollia (38534) to 150 cm in V. monantha (32845), also the most value of plant height between populations of species were shown in V. villosa (322) (100.33 cm). V.michuxii var.stenophylla (37129) (100 cm), V. sativa (38527) (90 cm) and V. sativa var.cordata (34295) (85.13 cm). The length of the internode was a very differet from 1.83 cm in V. sativa (24062, 40334, 43100) to 15 cm in V. michauxii var.stenophylla (37129). Also, 9.83, 8.69, and 8.28 cm of internode length were shown in V. sativa (38527), V. sativa var.cordata (34295), and V. sativa var.angustifollia (38525), respectively. The highest and lowest number of stems were 2 and 15, which were shown in two different taxa of V. sativa species (Vsa38530 and Vs11774). This trait in populations of V. villosa was no significant different. Four populations of V. sativa (38527, 33456, 24074 and 32972), V. sativa var.angustifollia(38525) and V. monantha (32845), had the largest pod in terms of length (4-4.53 cm) and populations V. michauxii var.stenophylla (37129), and V. sativa (5321) had the largest pod in terms of width (1.1 and 1.06 cm). In compare of yield traits (biomass yield and dry weight), three populations of V. sativa: Vs11761, Vs24062, Vs40326, and two populations of V.villosa:Vv322, Vv6268, had the most values of these traits. The values of these traits in these populations were Vs11761 (83 and 26 g.), Vs24062 (83 and 26 g), Vs40326 (103.67 and 36.33 g), Vv322 (108.33 and 38.60) and Vv6268 (83.50 and 19.73 g).

Table 4 Means comparison of 12 traits of 58 populations of different species of Vicia spp. 

Population Plant
Height
(cm)
Internode
Length
(cm)
Stems
Number
Pod
Length
(cm)
Pod
Width
(cm)
Pod
Index
Biomass
Yield
(g)
Dry
Weight
(g)
Day to
Sprout
Days to
first
Flowering
Days to
total
Flowering
Days to
Maturity
Vmi2944 78.56 c-e 7.94 b-e 2.67 g-i 2.87 c-j 0.82 ab 3.72 k-p 10.15 j-n 2.66 i-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vmis37129 100 b 15 a 5 f-i 2.5 f-k 1.1 a 2.27 op 20.00 h-n 5.00 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vmo32845 150 a 8 b-e 9 b-d 4 a-c 0.6 bc 6.67 a-h 0.06 n 0.01 n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vn34878 24.50 i-k 4.75 f-p 3.00 g-i 3.30 b-g 0.65 bc 5.10 f-n 5.13 l-n 1.16 k-n 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs5321 43.88 e-k 4.00 i-p 2.50 hi 2.14 g-l 1.06 a 2.00 p 2.07 mn 0.55 l-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs6646 44.33 e-k 2.83 n-p 4.67 f-i 2.83 c-j 0.50 bc 5.67 c-k 61.83 b-d 14.61c-f 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs6654 28.33 h-k 2.00 p 4.00 f-i 2.00 h-l 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 42.67 e-i 10.83 d-i 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs6681 63.00 c-h 3.33 l-p 5.00 f-i 3.97 a-d 0.50 bc 7.93 ab 74.83 bc 18.43 cd 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs11760 56.67 c-k 4.50 g-p 4.67 f-i 2.00 h-l 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 53.00 c-g 15.27 c-f 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs11761 66.67 b-g 6.17 c-l 5.33 f-h 2.50 f-k 0.50 bc 5.00 f-n 83.00 ab 26.00 b 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vs11762 37.67 f-k 3.67 j-p 6.00 e-g 2.50 f-k 0.50 bc 5.00 f-n 19.00 h-n 5.06 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs11763 80.00 b-e 6.33 c-i 11 bc 3.33 b-g 0.50 bc 6.67 a-h 45.00 e-h 9.33 e-k 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs11764 61.67 c-i 5.17 e-o 11.67 b 2.67 e-k 0.50 bc 5.33 e-m 51.17 c-g 9.03 e-l 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs11771 52.33 d-k 4.83 f-p 4.33 f-i 2.00 f-k 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 56.67 b-f 11.43 d-h 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs11772 65.00 b-h 3.17 m-p 4.67 f-i 2.00 f-k 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 41.50 e-i 8.93 e-l 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs11774 68.33 b-f 4.33 h-p 15.00 a 2.67 e-k 0.50 bc 5.33 e-m 53.00 c-g 15.27 c-f 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs24062 40.00 f-k 1.83 p 4.67 f-i 2.00 f-k 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 83.00 ab 26.00 b 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs24069 41.00 f-k 2.50 n-p 5.33 f-h 3.83 a-e 0.50 bc 7.67 a-d 37.17 e-k 10.43 d-j 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs24074 49.67 d-k 4.17 h-p 6.00 e-g 4.00 a-c 0.47 bc 8.67 a 44.00 d-h 10.43 d-j 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs24076 41.33 f-k 3.50 k-p 4.33 f-i 2.50 f-k 0.47 bc 5.50 d-l 41.50 e-i 8.93 e-l 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs24084 55.00 c-k 5.33 d-o 4.67 f-i 2.67 e-k 0.50 bc 5.33 e-m 44.00 d-h 10.43 d-j 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs24097 51.33 d-k 3.00 n-p 6.00 e-g 2.00 f-k 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 45.00 e-h 8.77 e-m 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs32972 44.67 e-k 2.83 n-p 3.00 g-i 4.00 a-c 0.57 bc 7.11 a-f 48.00 c-h 15.10 c-f 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs33456 43.43 e-k 6.07 c-m 4.86 f-i 4.04 a-c 0.64 bc 6.39 b-i 21.29 h-n 5.30 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38517 34.67 f-k 6.17 c-l 3.33 f-i 2.50 f-k 0.53 bc 4.72 g-n 11.27 j-n 3.05 h-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38523 43.33 e-k 7.33 c-g 3.67 f-i 3.17 b-h 0.60 bc 5.28 f-m 25.87 g-n 7.17 f-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38526 86.17 b-d 6.50 c-j 6.33 f-i 2.73 e-k 0.40 bc 6.18 b-j 18.92 h-n 5.50 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38527 90.00 bc 9.83 b 3.00 g-i 4.53 a 0.60 bc 7.56 a-e 20.41 h-n 3.91 h-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vs38528 53.40 c-k 8.00 b-e 6.40 d-f 3.63 a-f 0.63 bc 5.75 b-k 34.49 e-l 8.91 e-l 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38531 46.00 e-k 6.40 c-k 5.20 f-i 2.84 c-j 0.60 bc 4.68 h-n 13.00 i-n 3.95 h-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38532 29.80 g-k 7.60 b-f 4.80 f-i 2.00 f-k 0.64 bc 3.27 l-p 8.35 k-n 2.00 i-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vs38533 33.30 f-k 4.74 f-p 3.40 f-i 3.66 a-f 0.62 bc 5.93 b-k 10.54 j-n 2.29 i-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs38536 36.33 f-k 7.00 c-h 3.67 f-i 2.23 g-k 0.50 bc 4.47 h-o 3.04 mn 0.83 k-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs40310 33.33 f-k 3.17 m-p 3.67 f-i 3.33 b-g 0.50 bc 6.67 a-h 55.00 c-g 15.77 c-e 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs40315 38.33 f-k 2.50 n-p 3.67 f-i 3.17 b-h 0.50 bc 6.33 b-i 51.33 c-g 14.63 c-f 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs40326 44.67 e-k 2.33 op 4.33 f-i 3.50 a-f 0.50 bc 7.00 a-f 103.67 a 36.33 a 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vs40334 31.33 f-k 1.83 p 4.67 f-i 3.33 b-g 0.43 bc 7.83 a-c 41.50 e-i 8.93 e-l 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vs43100 22.00 j-k 1.83 p 4.33 f-i 1.50 kl 0.50 bc 3.00 n-p 9.57 j-n 0.33 mn 28 a 95 a 120 b 162 b
Vsa38524 29.60 g-k 7.70 b-f 4.40 f-i 3.16 b-h 0.78 ab 4.07 j-p 7.18 l-n 1.95 j-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vsa38525 50.44 d-k 8.28 b-d 5.56 f-h 4.22 ab 0.61 bc 6.96 a-g 19.92 h-n 5.62 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vsa38530 65.33 b-h 6.67 c-i 2.00 i 3.17 b-h 0.53 bc 5.69 c-k 29.33 e-n 10.98 d-h 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vsa38534 19.00 k 5.50 d-n 5.00 f-i 3.25 b-h 0.50 bc 6.50 b-i 26.75 f-n 5.80 g-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vsa38535 36.50 f-k 6.50 c-j 2.50 hi 2.75 d-k 0.65 bc 4.29 i-o 4.55 l-n 1.25 k-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vsa38537 43.67 e-k 8.00 b-e 5.67 f-h 2.93 c-i 0.60 bc 4.89 f-n 4.70 l-n 1.05 k-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 162 b
Vsa4740 49.67 d-k 3.50 k-p 5.00 f-i 2.00 h-l 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 45.00 f-h 9.33 e-k 21 b 90 b 107 d 150 d
Vsa7243 54.33 c-k 5.17 e-o 4.33 f-i 2.67 e-k 0.50 bc 5.33 e-m 18.67 h-n 5.67 g-n 21 b 90 b 107 d 150 d
Vsa38529 30 f-k 4 i-p 3 g-i 0.6 m 0.3 c 2.00 p 3.10 mn 0.60 l-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vsc34295 85.13 b-d 8.69 bc 8.75 c-e 1.06 l 0.29 c 3.75 k-p 27.92 e-n 6.92 f-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vss1862 44.67 e-k 4.33 h-p 4.33 f-i 2.00 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 31.67 e-m 9.00 e-l 21 b 90 b 107 d 150 d
Vss24631 51.00 d-k 2.33 op 5.00 f-i 1.83 i-l 0.50 bc 3.67 k-p 56.67 b-f 11.43 d-h 21 b 90 b 125 a 167 a
Vss29802 67.33 b-g 3.50 k-p 4.33 f-i 2.50 h-l 0.50 bc 5.00 f-n 41.50 e-i 8.93 e-l 28 a 95 a 107 d 150 d
Vss32900 55.67 c-k 3.00 n-p 4.67 f-i 1.67 j-l 0.50 bc 3.33 l-p 34.50 e-l 7.93 e-n 28 a 95 a 107 d 150 d
Vv315 55.00 c-k 2.83 n-p 4.33 f-i 2.00 h-l 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 53.83 c-g 13.08 c-g 21 b 90 b 107 d 150 d
Vv322 100.33 b 4.00 i-p 4.33 f-i 2.50 f-k 0.50 bc 5.00 f-n 108.33 a 38.60 a 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vv6268 47.67 e-k 3.17 m-p 4.67 f-i 1.67 j-l 0.53 bc 3.17 m-p 83.50 ab 19.73 bc 21 b 90 b 107 d 150 d
Vv14561 58.33 c-j 4.50 g-p 4.67 f-i 2.67 e-k 0.50 bc 5.33 f-n 57.71 b-e 10.83 d-i 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vv28061 51.67 d-k 2.00 p 4.33 f-i 2.00 h-l 0.50 bc 4.00 j-p 18.00 h-n 3.73 h-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c
Vv34212 68.33 b-f 3.67 j-p 4.67 f-i 2.17 g-l 0.53 bc 4.06 j-p 39.33 e-i 7.80 e-n 28 a 95 a 115 c 158 c

Different letters indicate significant differences among different populations for the same species. P <0.05.

V. michauxii (Vmi), V. michauxii var. stenophylla (Vmis), V. monantha (Vmo), V.narbonensis (Vn), V. sativa (Vs), V. sativa var. angustifollia (Vsa), V. sativa var. cordata (Vsc), V. sativa var. sativa (Vss), V. villosa (Vv).

The results of phenology traits showed that all of the populations based on day to sprout and days to first flowering traits were divided into two groups (a and b). V. narbonesis (34878), V. monantha (32845) and two taxa of V. michauxii (Vmi2944 and Vmis37129) had the same value in day to sprout and days to first flowering traits, but populations V. sativa var.angustifollia (Vsa4740, Vsa7243), V. sativa var.stenophylla (Vss1862, Vss24631) and two populations of V. villosa (Vv315, Vv6268) with 21 and 90 d for day to sprout and first flowering were separated from the rest of populations by earlier germination and flowering. In days to total flowering and maturity traits, populations were divided as four groups (a, b, c and d). Days to total flowering as four groups:125a,120b,115c,107d and seed maturity:167a,162b,158c,150d. Populations in group d (107 and 150 d of flowering and seed maturation) had the shortest time required for full flowering and seed maturation. That is, they reached full flowering and seed maturity earlier than other populations. Populations of V. sativa var.angustifollia (Vsa4740, Vsa7243), V. sativa var.stenophylla (Vss1862, Vss29802, Vss32900) and V. villosa (Vv315, Vv6268), having the shortest day for full flowering and seed maturation (Table 4).

Analysis of the genetic correlations among the mentioned traits in the tested vetch populations revealed the existence of several significant positive coefficients (Table 5), namely between plant height with internode length (rgxy=0.43; P<0.01), stems number (rgxy=0.38; P<0.01) and pod length with internode length (rgxy=0.24; P<0.05), pod width (rgxy =0.23; P<0.05), day to sprout (rgxy=0.28; P<0.05), days to first flowering (rgxy=0.28; P<0.05) and days to maturity (rgxy=0.26; P<0.05), pod index with day to sprout (rgxy =0.23; P<0.05) and days to first flowering (rgxy=0.23; P<0.05). On the other hand, the relationship between pod width with pod index (rgxy =−0.26; P<0.05), biomass yield (rgxy =−0.35; P<0.01), and dry weigth (rgxy =−0.28; P<0.05), internode length with dry weigth (rgxy=−0.38; P<0.01) were negatively and significant.

Table 5 Simple correlation matrix for the 12 traits of Vicia spp. populations 

Traits Plant
height
internode
length
Stems
number
Pod
length
Pod
width
Pod
index
Biomass
yield
Dry
weight
Day to
sprout
Days to first
flowering
Days to
total
Internode length 0.43**
Stems number 0.38** 0.11ns
Pod length 0.13 ns 0.24* 0.03 ns
Pod width 0.10 ns 0.51 ns -0.22 ns 0.23*
Pod index 0.09 ns -0.06 ns 0.16 ns 0.86 ns -0.26*
Biomass yield 0.11 ns -0.46 ns 0.14 ns -0.03 ns -0.35** 0.20 ns
Dry weight 0.13 ns -0.38** 0.07 ns 0.03 ns -0.28* 0.22 ns 0.95 ns
Day to sprout 0.04 ns 0.19 ns 0.06 ns 0.28* 0.11 ns 0.23* -0.16 ns -0.09 ns
Days to first flowering 0.04 ns 0.19 ns 0.06 ns 0.28* 0.11 ns 0.23* -0.16 ns -0.09 ns 1 ns
Days to total flowering -0.08 ns -0.03 ns 0.05 ns 0.17 ns 0.03 ns 0.15 ns 0.04 ns 0.07 ns 0.46 ns 0.46 ns
Days to maturity -0.07 ns 0.13 ns 0.02 ns 0.26* 0.06 ns 0.21 ns -0.03 ns 0.02 ns 0.50 ns 0.50 ns 0.92 ns

*, ** significant at 0.05 and 0.01 levels, respectively; ns not significant.

Two-dimensional principal component analysis showing the relationship among quantitative traits of studied populations is presented in Figure 1. Populations V. sativa var.angustifollia (4770, 7243), V. sativa var.sativa (1862), V. villosa (315, 6268) were separated partially by PC1; traits related to this separation are mainly phenology traits (day to spourat, days to first flowering, days to total flowering, days to maturity).

Figure 1 Two principal components showing the relationship among 12 traits of 58 populations of Vicia spp.  

A cluster analysis of the tested Vicia spp. populations showed five main groups (Table 6 and Figure 2). Cluster G1 contained five populations, belonging to V.sativa var.angustifollia with two populations (7243, 4740), V. sativa var.sativa one population (1862) and V. villosa with two populations (315, 6268).They are characterized by the lowest values of phenology traits (day to spourat, days to first flowering, total flowering, and seed maturity). Cluster G2 contained 13 populations: 11 populations belonging to V. sativa (6646, 6681, 11761, 24062, 24069, 24074, 32972, 40310, 40315, 40326, 40334), population 38530 of V. sativa var.angustifollia and 322 of V. villosa. They are also characterized by the highest amount of vegetative, seed and yield traits compared to other populations. Cluster G3 included 16 popullations belonging to V. sativa (6654, 11760, 11762, 11771, 11772, 24076, 24084, 24097, 43100), population 38529 of V. sativa var.angustifollia, V. sativa var.sativa (24631, 29802, 32900), 28061, 34212 and 14561 of V. villosa, with high amount of vegetative traits were collected in one group. Cluster G4 contained seven populations: five belong to species V. sativa (11763, 11764, 11774, 38526, 38527), population 34295 of V. sativa var.cordata and V. monantha (32845). These were classified with the highest plant height, stems number and vegetative traits compared with other clusters. Cluster G5 was the largest one with 17 populations, nine from V. sativa (5321, 33456, 38517, 38523, 38528, 38531, 38532, 38533, 38536), five from V. sativa var.angustifollia (38524, 38525, 38534, 38535, 38537), V. michauxii (2944), V. michauxii var.stenophylla (37129) and V. narbonensis (34878).These were classified as highest vegetative and pod traits populations.

Table 6 Means comparison of 12 traits of five vetch groups produced in Figure 2  

Groups Plant
height
(cm)
internode
length
(cm)
Stems
number
Pod
length
(cm)
Pod
width
(cm)
Pod
index
Biomass
yield
(g)
Dry
weight
(g)
Day to
sprout
Days to
first
flowering
Days to
total
flowering
Days to
maturity
G1 50.27 b 3.80 c 4.53 c 2.07 c 0.51 b 4.10 d 46.53 b 11.36 b 21.00 c 90.00 c 107.00 c 150.00 c
G2 50.97 b 3.40 c 4.36 c 3.24 a 0.50 b 6.51 a 63.15 a 18.94 a 28.00 a 95.00 a 116.15 a 159.54 a
G3 49.50 b 3.43 c 4.60 b 2.04 c 0.49 c 4.14 d 37.73 c 8.20 c 27.56 b 94.69 b 115.56 b 158.31 b
G4 88.76 a 6.98 b 9.25 a 3.00 b 0.48 c 5.93 b 30.92 c 7.14 c 28.00 a 95.00 a 115.71 b 159.14 a
G5 43.91 c 7.12 a 4.21 c 3.01 b 0.68 a 4.72 c 13.43 d 3.44 d 28.00 a 95.00 a 115.29 b 159.18 a

abc Different letters indicate significant differences among different populations for the same species. P<0.05.

Figure 2 Dendrogram of 58 populations of Vicia spp. explained by complete linkage clustering of 12 traits 

The principal component analysis (PCA) of the 12 quantitative traits is summarized in Table 7. The first five PCs had eigenvalues >1 and they explained more than 80 % of the total variation for the vegetative and phenology traits. Day to sprout, days to first flowering, days to total flowering and days to maturity were loaded highly in PC1 and they accounted for 25.7 % of the total variation. In PC2, Biomass yield and dry weight accounted for 21 % of the total variation. In PC3, plant height and internode length accounted for 14.3 % of the total variation. PC4 contributed 11.2 % of the total traits variation in these populations with plant length and stems number loading highly. PC5 accounted for 9.8 % of total variation with length, width and pod index. Generally, for the 12 vegetative and phenology traits studied, PC1 and PC2 constituted more than 46 % of the total traits variation with most phenology traits and yield-related traits. This indicated that these traits can be used to classify the populations under study.

Table 7 Eigenvalues, the proportion of variance, and morphological traits that contributed to the first five principal components (PC) 

Variable PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4 PC5
Plant height 0.058 -0.029 0.466 0.441 -0.267
Internode length 0.208 0.302 0.428 0.055 -0.242
Stems number 0.050 -0.107 0.176 0.668 0.075
Pod length 0.310 -0.154 0.389 -0.244 0.378
Pod width 0.141 0.303 0.243 -0.301 -0.357
Pod index 0.230 -0.332 0.265 -0.084 0.533
Biomass yield -0.144 -0.53 -0.004 0.062 -0.236
Dry weight -0.101 -0.541 0.043 -0.042 -0.321
Day to sprout 0.464 -0.017 -0.102 0.045 -0.075
Days to first flowering 0.464 -0.017 -0.102 0.045 -0.075
Days to total flowering 0.380 -0.129 -0.338 0.057 -0.164
Days to maturity 0.419 -0.100 -0.267 0.014 -0.151
Eigenvalue 3.340 2.723 1.856 1.452 1.279
Proportion 0.257 0.210 0.143 0.112 0.098
Cumulative 0.257 0.467 0.610 0.721 0.820

Discussion

In these study, 58 populations of Vicia spp. were investigated for genetic diversity based on morphological and phenology traits. Due to, genetic diversity analysis of germplasms using morphological traits is an initial step for crop improvement19-22. There was significant (P<0.01) genotypic variation among 58 germplasm accessions of Vicia spp. for all the measured vegetative and yield traits: plant length, internode length, stems number, pod length, pod width, pod index, biomass yield and dry weight.The estimates of genotypic variation and repeatability for these traits indicated the potential genetic variation available among the germplasm accessions within Vicia spp. investigated. Similar results were obtained by the Ebrahimi et al23 on plant and seed morphology traits of white Bean genotypes, Mikic et al12 on forage and seed yields of three lines of common vetch and Berhanu and Abera24 on forage yield of vetch species investigation.

A comparison between taxon (V. sativa: Vs, Vsa, Vsc and Vss, V. mchauxii: Vmi and Vmis, V. monantha: Vmo, V. narbonensis: Vn and V. villosa: Vv) showed V. monantha (Vmo) with high values of plant height, stems number, pod length and V. villosa with high values of biomass yield and dry weight. Berhanu and Abera24 showed that among the vetch species (V. sativa, V. villosa, V. dasycarpa, and V. bengalensis), V. dasycarpa and V. villosa were the best performing species for forage. Then the vetch species tested in the current study could be used for pasture expansion and forage production, in livestock exclusion areas, in forage strips, as an under-sowing with food crops, or as a backyard forage crop in the pasture of the country.

The populations demonstrated high variation in plant height, internode length, stem number, pod length, biomass yield and dry weight. Populations: Vmo32845, Vv322, Vmis37129 (for plant height), populations: Vmi37129, Vs38527, Vsc34295 (for internode length), populations: Vs11774,Vs11764,Vs11763 (for stems number), populations: Vs38527, Vmo32845, Vsa38525 (for pod length) and populations:Vs11761, Vs24062, Vs40326, Vv322, Vv6268 (for biomass yield and dry weight) showed the highest values of the mentioned traits. However, broadening the genetic base from diverse sources is recommended to include most of the genetic determinants of these traits25. This variability can be exploited in fodder breeding programs to select an adapted plant material for the arid and semi-arid areas26.

Phenology (earliness and lateness) of vetch species has a great effect on seed yield productivity. Late maturity for forage and seed was recorded at 125 and 167 d, respectively. This could be due to high and extended rainfall at the region of populations that encouraged vegetative growth and delayed forage and seed harvesting stages. The results indicated that for vetch populations tested, 107 to 125 and 150 to 167 d were required after the emergence of the seedlings for total flowering and seed maturity, respectively. On average, the difference in harvest forage and seed yield between populations are about 18 and 17 d. This indicates different responses of the tested populations for these important agronomic traits.

According to Getnet et al27, Vicia narbonensis and Vicia sativa are early maturing and Vicia villosa is late maturing species. But in this study two populations of V. villosa (315 and 6268) and four populations of V.sativa var.angustifollia (4740, 7243), V. sativa var.sativa (1862, 29802, 32900) with 107 and 150 d for flowering and seed maturity is recommended for seed production due to earliness, whereas late-maturing species like V. sativa var.sativa (24631) should not be advisable to grow for seed purpose.

There is a direct relationship between plant length with internode length and the number of stems, this indicates that tall plants produce long internodes and more number stems. Also, the length and width of the pod have a direct relationship with the number of days of sprout, flowering and seed maturation, which means long and wide pods are produced by late-flowering and seed maturation time. Since, in cereals, the correlation between grain yield and plant height is often negative, but in legumes, this correlation is often positive, because legumes have unlimited growth, therefore, with increasing height, more pods are produced, which has a positive effect on performance, so similar results were obtained in the traits of white Bean genotypes where high grain yields were strongly correlated to days to flowering and plant height23 and Lens spp.28.

In PCA, since the first component includes changes that are not explained by the second component and the two components are independent of each other, so the two components were intersected vertically and in the form of a biplot diagram to determine the diversity between different genotypes and determine the far and near genotypes to be used. Phenology traits (day to sprout, days to first flowering, days to total flowering, days to maturity) accounted for the variations recorded in the populations in PC1. On the other hand, yield traits (biomass yield and dry weight) accounted for the variation observed in the populations in PC2. The total cumulative variance in the first two PC was more than 46 %, indicating the high degree of diversity among the traits under study. Furthermore, the traits can be used as phenotypic traits in differentiating the populations. In plot PCA (Figure 1), populations, V. sativa var.angustifollia (Vsa7243, Vsa4740), V. sativa var.sativa (1862) and V. villosa (Vv315, Vv6268), separated from other populations and located on the left of X-axis by containing less of phenology traits (important in the first component). So, these populations recommend for areas with short growth periods. Populations V. sativa (40326) and V. villosa (322), for containing high value of biomass and dry weight, located on the bottom of Y-axis (negative effect of biomass and dry weight on the second component). As a result, two populations, V. sativa (40326) and V. villosa (322), produce forage yield more than other populations.

In the present study, the 58 populations of Vicia spp. were grouped into five clusters using 12 traits.The populations of cluster G1 are characterized by the lowest values of days to sprout, flowering, and seed maturity which are the candidate of further evaluations. Also, these populations had a shoter time for these traits. Members of G1 are similar to the dispersion of these populations in the PCA plot (Figure 1). It is interesting that the population from different climates like Shiraz clustered with populations from Karaj. This pattern of clustering indicates, the diversity of populations within these geographical areas and, the similarity of populations from different geographical areas.

These results agree with the report of Alemayehu and Becker29 in Brassica carinata. Cluster G2 contained 13 populations belonging to V. sativa and V. villosa species. These populations had a high value of seed, yield and phenology traits. Member of G2 due to having a long time for flowering and seed maturity, produce more seed and forage yield. This is the best factor, that can be used for livestock feeding. Cluster G3 contained mixed 16 populations of V. sativa and V. villosa. with lowest values of seed and forage yield gather together in a group, that they are not important inbreeding. Cluster G4 contained seven populations of V. sativa and V. monantha with high vegetative traits, that recommend livestock feeding and control of erosion. G5 group with 17 populations of V. sativa, V. michauxii and V. narbonensis were classified as later flowering and seed ripening and containing less amount of yield forage. These populations can be used for areas with a long growth time.

Finally in this study populations were located as five groups based on morphology and phenology traits. Members of each group are similar for mentioned traits and can be recommended for breeding programs. Also, the results indicated no relationship between studied traits and the origin of populations.

Conclusions and implications

The findings showed the high variation of morphology and yield traits in different species and populations of vetch. These differences are very important to select the type of companion crops and methods of integration to improve yields of both crops (food and forage) without significant effect of one on the other. Vicia sativa (Kermanshah, Javanrod) and V. villosa (Karaj) were superior in terms of fresh and dry forage yields. V.michauxii var.stenophylla (Qom), V. monantha (Kermanshah), V. sativa (Gilan, Astara), and V. villosa (Karaj), are recommended by having tall plant and big pods. However, more comprehensive studies and additional experiments are required to complete information for breeding programs.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Jalilian for identification of plants and the director of Gene Bank for providing seeds and making the lab facilities available for our study and RIFR in Iran for financial support.

Literature cited

1. Mozaffarian V. A dictionary of plant names. 1st ed. Farhang moaser publication, Tehran, Iran. 2006. [ Links ]

2. Rebole A, Alzueta C, Ortiz LT, Barrol C, Rodriguez ML, Caballero R. Yields and chemical composition of different parts of the common vetch at flowering and at two seed filling stages. Span J Agric Res 2004;2(4):550-557. [ Links ]

3. Gurmani ZA, Shafiq ZM, Bashir M. Performance of Vetch, Vicia sativa cultivars for fodder production under rain fed condition of Pothwar region. J Agric Res 2006;44(4): 291-299. [ Links ]

4. Kebede G. Correlation and cluster analysis for quantitative and qualitative traits of accessions of vetch species in the central highlands of Ethiopia. G J Adv Res 2016; 3(7):56-72. [ Links ]

5. Duc G, Bao SY, Baum M, Redden B, Sadiki M. Suso MJ. Diversity maintenance and use of Vicia faba L. genetic resource. Field Crops Res 2010;115:270-278. [ Links ]

6. Büyükkartal HN, Çölgeçen H, Pınar NM. Seed coat ultrastructure of hard-seeded and soft-seeded varieties of Vicia sativa. Turk J Botany 2013;37:270-275. [ Links ]

7. Smýkal P, Coyne CJ, Ambrose MJ, Maxted N, Schaefer H, Blair MW, et al. Legume crops phylogeny and genetic diversity for science and breeding. Crit Rev Plant Sci 2015;34:43-104. [ Links ]

8. Rahmati T, Azarfar A, Mahdavi A, Khademi K, Fatahnia F, Shaikhahmadi H, Darabighane B. Chemical composition and forage yield of three Vicia varieties (Vicia spp.) at full blooming stage. Ital J Anim Sci 2012;1(3):308-311. [ Links ]

9. Dong R, Jahufer MZZ, Dong DK, Wang YR, Liu ZP. Characterisation of the morphological variation for seed traits among 537 germplasm accessions of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) using digital image analysis. N Z J Agric Res 2016;59(4):422-435. [ Links ]

10. Demirkan AK, Nizam I, Orak A, Şen C, Serkan Tenikecier H, Güler N, Ersoy H. Determination of some morphological characters and forage yield of Vetch (Vicia sp.) genotypes collected from thrace region of Turkey. Int J Adv Res 2018;(11):276-283. [ Links ]

11. Kebede G. Morpho‑agronomic performance of vetch species and their accessions grown under nitosol and vertisol conditions in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Agric Food Secur 2018;7(90):1-14. [ Links ]

12. Mikić A, Mihailović V, Karagić D, Milošević B, Milić D, Vasiljević S, Katanski S, Zivanov D. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) multi-podded mutants for enhanced commercial seed production. Proc Appl Bot Genet Breed 2019;180(1):78-81. [ Links ]

13. Sanchez-Gutierrez RA, Figueroa-Gonzáles JJ, Rivera-Vázquez JS, Reveles-Hernández M, Gutiérrez-Bañuelos H, Espinoza-Canales A. Yield and nutritional value of common vetch (Vicia sativa l.) during fall-winter in Zacatecas, Rev Mex Cienc Pecu 2020;11(1):294-303. [ Links ]

14. Grela ER, Samolinska W, Rybinski W, Kiczorowska B. Nutritional and anti-nutritional factors in Vicia sativa l. Seeds and the variability of phenotypic and morphological characteristics of some vetch accessions cultivated in european countries. Animals 2021; 11(44):1-15. [ Links ]

15. Saberi A. Investigation of yield and morphological traits of some new forage products and forgotten forage plants in Golestan province. Appl Res Pl Ecophysi 2019;6(2):45-57. [ Links ]

16. Abbasi MR, Vaezi1 S, Baghaie N. Genetic diversity of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia) collection of the National Plant Gene Bank of Iran based on agro-morphological traits. IR J Rangelands and Forests Pl Breeding and Gene Res 2007;15(2):113-128. [ Links ]

17. Arzani H, Ahmadi Z, Azarnivand H, Bihamta MR. Forage quality of three life forms of rangeland species in semi-arid and semi-humid regions in different phenological stages Desert 2010;15:71-74. [ Links ]

18. SAS. SAS/STAT User´s Guide. Statistical Analysis System. Inc. Cary, NC. Versión 9.1. 2011. [ Links ]

19. Julia CC, Waters DLE, Wood RH, Rose TJ. Morphological characterization of Australian ex situ wild rice accessions and potential for identifying novel sources of tolerance to phosphorus deficiency. Genet Resour Crop Evol 2016;63:327-337. [ Links ]

20. Peratoner G, Seling S, Klotz Florian C, Figl U, Schmitt AO. Variation of agronomic and qualitative traits and local adaptation of mountain landraces of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) from Val Venosta/Vinschgau (South Tyrol). Genet Resour Crop Evol 2016;63:61-273. [ Links ]

21. Loumerem M, Alercia A. Descriptors for jute (Corchorus olitorius L.). Genet Resour Crop Evol 2016;63(7):1103-1111. [ Links ]

22. Shen G, Girdthai T, Liu ZY, Fu YH, Meng QY, Liu FZ. Principal component and morphological diversity analysis of Job’s-tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.). Chil J Agric Res 2019;79:131-143. [ Links ]

23. Ebrahimi M, Bihamta MR, Hoseinzade AH, Golbashy M, Khialparast F. A study of agronomy and morphologic traits of white bean genotypes using multivariate analysis. J Crop Breed 2009;1(3):1-13. [ Links ]

24. Berhanu T, Abera M. Adaptation and forage yield of vetches (Vicia spp.) in the southern highlands of Ethiopia. Agric Sci Pract 2017;4(1):46-49. [ Links ]

25. Ghafoor A, Ahmad Z, Qureshi AS, Bashir M. Genetic relationship in Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper and V. radiate (L.) R. Wilczek based on morphological traits and SDSPAGE. Euphytica 2002;123:367-378. [ Links ]

26. Chebouti A, Meziani N, Bessedik F, Laib M, Amrani S. Variation in morphological traits and yield evaluation among natural populations of Medicago truncatula and Medicago laciniata. Asian J Biol Sci 2019;12:596-603. [ Links ]

27. Getnet A, Tekleyohanes B, Lemma G, Mesfin D, Diriba G. Major herbaceous forage legumes: Some achievements in species and varietal evaluation in Ethiopia. In: Kemal A, et al, editors. Food and forage legumes of Ethiopia: progress and prospects. Proc Workshop Food Forage Legumes 22-26 September 2003. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [ Links ]

28. Goghari M, Dashti H, Madah Hosseini Sh, Dehghan E. Evaluation of genetic diversity of lentil germplasm using morphological traits in Bardsir. IR J Field Crop Sci 2014; 45(4):541-551. [ Links ]

29. Almayehu N, Becker H. Enotypic diversity and patterns of variation in a germplasm material of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun). Genet Resour Crop Evol 2002;49(6):573-582. [ Links ]

Received: December 22, 2021; Accepted: April 21, 2022

*Corresponding author: Hjavadim@yahoo.com; Javadi@rifr-ac.ir

Creative Commons License This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License