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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Similarities and differences of Vicia sativa subspp. sativa and macrocarpa for seed yield and quality

K. Boulata A C , M. Irakli B and J. T. Tsialtas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2837-136X A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Laboratory of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece.

B Hellenic Agricultural Organization ‘Demeter’, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, 570 01 Thermi, Greece.

C Present address: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark.

* Correspondence to: tsialtas01@windowslive.com

Handling Editor: Marta Santalla

Crop & Pasture Science 73(12) 1354-1366 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP22125
Submitted: 14 January 2022  Accepted: 2 May 2022   Published: 21 June 2022

© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context: Vicia sativa subsp. macrocarpa (V. macrocarpa), a large-seeded vetch, is underutilised and has been proposed as a putative source of seed feed along with V. sativa subsp. sativa (V. sativa, common vetch).

Aims: The study aimed to compare the two subspecies for a range of seed yield and quality traits.

Methods: Three accessions of each subspecies were grown under field conditions during two growing seasons. Measurements included pod and seed morphology, seed yield per plant, pod shattering and seed toughness, seed nutritional traits, and insect damage.

Key results: No significant differences were found for seed weight per plant (9.95–14.75 g); however, V. macrocarpa accessions showed lower emergence percentages (7–18%) and higher pod shattering (4.01% vs 0.17%) than V. sativa. The higher number of seeds per pod (8.50 vs 7.49) and larger seeds (70.63 vs 59.67 g) significantly contributed to yield of V. macrocarpa. Over the six accessions, seed weight per plant was significantly correlated with harvest index. The darker seeds of V. macrocarpa had lower seed protein concentration (25.96% vs 27.89%) and higher concentrations of antinutritional phenolic compounds (total phenols, total tannins, condensed tannins, flavonoids). Seeds of V. macrocarpa were enriched in manganese (17.72 vs 12.65 mg/kg) compared with V. sativa, but poorer in potassium (8.44 vs 10.50 g/kg). The high manganese and phenolics concentrations in seeds of V. macrocarpa were associated with lower percentages of bruchid-infected seeds and endoparasitoid (Triaspis thoracicus) damaged seeds, possibly due to toxic effects.

Conclusions: The two subspecies varied significantly in seed quality traits, but not yield.

Implications: More extensive comparisons between the two subspecies, with larger numbers of accessions, are needed in order to determine the potential of V. macrocarpa as a source of seed feed.

Keywords: Bruchus, common vetch, dry environments, grain legumes, phenols, protein, seed weevil, tannins.


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