Identification of Suitable Forage Legumes for Planting During Fallow in Rainfed Land Areas

In order to identify legume forage for planting during fallow in rainfed areas, a two year field experiments was carried out based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the Tikmadash Agricultural Research Station, East Azarbaijan Agriculture and Natural Research Center, Iran, during 2011-2012. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), field pea (Pisum arvense L.), Hungarian vetch(Vicia pannonica L.) and grass pea(Lathyrus sativus L.) were evaluated for quantitative and qualitative traits. Results of analysis of variance showed that fresh and dry forage yield were significantly different between forage legumes. During two years, hairy vetch had the highest forage fresh and dry yield (4686 and 1589 kg.ha-1) and the lowest was belonged to field pea (2319 and 862 kg.ha-1). In response to increasing rainfall, hairy vetch fresh and dry yield was increased (65 and 46% respectively) more than other forage legumes yield. The study of forage quality characteristics indicated that grass pea (19.34%) and hair vetch legumes (16.20%) had the most forage crude protein (CP) content. Grass pea had the maximum dry matter digestible (70.99%) and total ash (11.57%) among forage legumes. The maximum protein yield as fresh and dry forage was estimated for hairy vetch (460.9 and 161.9 kg.ha-1, respectively) and grass pea (430.4 and 166.1 kg.ha-1, respectively) legumes. High crude protein content in grass pea (19.34%) caused to have protein yield as fresh and dry forage same as hairy vetch. Considering the quality and amount of forage, grass pea and hairy vetch are suggested for planting during fallow in rotation with cereals in Azarbaijan rainfed regions.