Genetic characterisation and agronomic and nutritional value of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), an under-utilised species suitable for low-input farming systems
Luigi Russi A , Gabriele Acuti B , Massimo Trabalza-Marinucci B , Raffaele Porta C , Andrea Rubini D , Francesco Damiani D , Stefano Cristiani D , Alessandro Dal Bosco A , Gaia Martuscelli E , Michele Bellucci
D F and Fulvio Pupilli D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy.
B Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
C Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy.
D Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources – Research Division of Perugia, National Research Council (CNR), Via della Madonna Alta 130, 06128 Perugia, Italy.
E Consortium of Italian Beef Producers (CCBI), Via del Vio Viscioloso, 21, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
F Corresponding author. Email: michele.bellucci@ibbr.cnr.it
Crop and Pasture Science 70(7) 606-614 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP19079
Submitted: 21 February 2019 Accepted: 7 May 2019 Published: 15 July 2019
Abstract
Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.), a grain legume crop well adapted in marginal soils, has mainly been used for animal feed. Nowadays, bitter vetch seeds in feed formulations are replaced by other protein sources such as soybean meal. However, in the context of sustainable economic development, it may be beneficial to enhance the cultivation of bitter vetch landraces in marginal areas. Fifty-six bitter vetch accessions of different provenance were preliminarily characterised by microsatellite DNA analysis to discriminate landraces suitable for specific and restricted environments. Twenty-two landraces of two genetically different groups were then selected for further characterisation by agro-morphological analyses. Being late-flowering with a seed yield of up to 3–4 t ha–1 in experimental field conditions, with neither chemical nor water input, these plants will be valuable material for long-term study to develop new cultivars adapted for seed production under organic agricultural systems in Southern Europe. The seeds of these 22 landraces were also evaluated, with positive results, as partial replacement of soybean in rabbit diets.
Additional keywords: animal nutrition, neglected legumes.
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