The vetch (Vicia sativa) is one of the most important annual forage legumes globally due to its multiple uses and high nutritional content. Despite these agronomical benefits, many drawbacks, including cyano-alanine toxin, has reduced the agronomic value of vetch varieties. Here, we used 454 technology to sequence the two V. sativa subspecies (ssp. sativa and ssp. nigra) to enrich functional in...

The nitrogen (N) effect of legumes is one of the main reasons for their inclusion in rotation systems and their success in rainfed agriculture of Mediterranean areas. The comparative analysis of this effect in relation to alternative systems or practices is essential for a comprehensive appreciation in their merit. This field experiment was comprised of four three-year rotation cycles. Wheat (T...

This paper presents results of a plot-scale field experiment aiming at the comparative evaluation of agricultural practices and agricultural systems as far as their performance in very-low-rainfall conditions is concerned. Wheat was seeded after common vetch, treated in three different ways, after fallow or after the incorporation of dried sewage sludge or straw. Grain and straw yields and grai...

Growing degree days (GDD) is a tool to predict plant growth and can be adapted for use in any species, including cover crops. A limitation of the GDD calculation accurate temperature parameters used development. For most crop cardinal temperatures are not well defined literature, leading less GDD. The objective this study was determine eight Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum), balansa clover (...

Catch crops are an effective method for reducing nitrogen (N) leaching in agriculture, but the mineralization of incorporated catch crop residue N is difficult to predict and model. We conducted a five-month incubation experiment using fresh from three (hairy vetch, fodder radish ryegrass) with temperature treatments (2 °C, 15 °C 2–15 variable temperature) two termination methods (glyphosate un...

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) is the second most cultivated worldwide being used as a forage and cover crop. As it not domesticated, displays several wild traits including seed dormancy. The physical dormancy (PY) variation could be useful depending on specific context. High PY desirable for ley farming systems, while low needed to prevent weediness in subsequent crop rotations. Gene flow be...

Cover crops (CCs) are known to influence water infiltration just prior termination, but their effects on over time less known. This study investigated the of CCs in situ CC termination (during April) and again 2 mo after June). The multi-species mixture used included hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum peas (Lathyrus hirsu...

This project was designed to produce a nourishing date bar with commercial value especially for school going children to meet their body development requirements. Protein level of date bars was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Economical and underutilized sources, that is, whey protein concentrate and vetch protein isolates, were explored for protein supplementation. Fourteen...