Nutritional Profiles and Traits Relationships of Selected Vetch Species and their Accessions Grown under Nitosol and Vertisol Conditions in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional differences and character associations of vetch species and their accessions grown under nitosol and vertisol conditions and to compare their performance at Holetta and Ginchi in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance procedures of SAS general linear model was used to compare treatment means. The nutritive values of vetch species and their accessions were comparatively higher at Holetta than Ginchi for most measured parameters. Intermediate (Vicia dasycarpa and Vicia atropurpurea) to late (Vicia villosa) maturing vetch species and their accessions had relatively higher ash content than early maturing (Vicia narbonensis and Vicia sativa) vetch species and their accessions. Comparatively higher crude protein content was recorded for intermediate maturing vetch species whereas lower crude protein content was obtained from early and late maturing species at both locations. Early maturing vetch species and their accessions had lower in-vitro dry matter digestibility compared to intermediate to late maturing vetch species and their accessions. Vicia narbonensis and Vicia sativa and their accessions which have an erect growth type and early maturity had comparatively higher neutral detergent fiber content than Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia atropurpurea and Vicia villosa which have an intermediate to late maturity and creeping type of vetch species and their accessions. The correlation analysis indicated that forage dry matter yield was positively correlated with crude protein, crude protein yield, and in-vitro dry matter digestibility, whereas negatively correlated with neutral detergent fiber content. Generally, vetch species and their accessions had different nutritional profiles and traits association in the central highlands of Ethiopia.