Results of evaluating the early maturity and yield potential of wild vetch varieties growing in Moscow Oblast

Abstract

Wild-growing varieties are used in the breeding of Vicia sativa L. in order to expand genotypic diversity and improve the environmental stability of created varieties. In order to find wild-growing vetch possessing valuable breeding traits, 22 specimens from 15 countries were evaluated. Tests were conducted in a field experiment in the south of Moscow Oblast in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The ‘Vera’ variety served as the reference. On the basis of three-year data and in accordance with the International Classification of Vicia sativa L., the specimens were evaluated for early maturity, crop and seed production, seed size, leading shoot length, branchiness, number of pods per plant, and number of seeds in a pod. All the specimens were characterized by early maturity of fodder mass and seeds. The three-year average duration of the “sprouting- crop ripeness” period amounted to 34.7-46.3 days, while that of “sprouting-seed maturity” reached 59.0-67.5 days. In wild-growing specimens, the dry weight of the plant in the phase of crop ripeness ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 g (18-92 % of the reference). The fodder mass yield per plant was lower than that of the reference variety due to the poorer development of lateral shoots. Nineteen specimens were at the same level as or superior to the reference variety in terms of plant height. The three-year average seed yield of the specimens varied from 1.3 to 3.2 g (28-70 % of the reference). An analysis of seed yield showed that all specimens produced fewer pods than the reference. However, seven specimens were identified to be annually superior to the reference in terms of other traits: seed size (kk-36830, 36831, 36837, 36848, and 36850); the average number of seeds in the pod (kk-36871); the maximum number of pods in a node; the number of pods and the number of productive nodes on the leading shoot (kk-36879). These specimens are of interest for use in breeding vetch for seed yield.