Effect of Rhizobium inoculation on forage and seed yield and yield components of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) under rainfed conditions

摘要

Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) is used as a cover crop, green manure, pasture, silage, and hay. Its high dry matter content and nitrogen accumulation, and the absence of hard seeds, make it an excellent winter leguminous cover crop in annual rotations, When planted alone, it can provide substantial amounts of nitrogen to the following crop (Sattell et al., 1998). Common vetch is usually grown as a seed or hay crop in many different farming systems in Turkey (DIE, 1997). Vetches have the ability to form a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria that take nitrogen from the soil and convert it into ammonia, which is quickly converted into amino acids and proteins. The vetch plant provides the bacteria with a suitable environment in root nodules,nutrients and energy. In turn, the bacteria provide nitrogen to the plant through this fixation process (Cassida, 2004). If effective rhizobia are not present in the soil in sufficient quantities, the appropriate species and strain should be used (Onder& Akcin, 1991). Albayrak et al. (2004) reported that both dry matter and forage yield of common vetch were significantly increased by inoculation.