Ex situ evaluation of forage yield components and forage yields in wild populations of yellow vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca L.) from Serbia

Abstract

A small-plot trial was carried out in 2010 and 2011 at the Experimental Field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops at Rimski Sancevi, including six wild populations of yellow vetchling (Lathyrus aphaca L.) collected at diverse locations at the mountain Fruska Gora in Serbia. The proportion of leaf varied from 0.54 in the populations LA 05 and LA 06 to 0.61 in the population LA 01.The population LA 01 had the highest two-year average forage yields, namely 16.1 t ha(-1) of green forage and and 3.1 t ha(-1) of forage dry matter, while the population LA 06 had the lowest two-year average forage yields, namely 10.0 t ha(-1) of green forage and 2.0 t ha(-1) of forage dry matter. Satisfactory forage yields in certain wild populations and a short growing season offer solid grounds for the improvement and utilisation of yellow vetch to a greater extent.