Performance evaluation of Vetch ( Vicia spp. ) varieties in highland areas of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted in highland areas of the North Shewa Zone, Oromia region, with the objective of identifying adaptable and high dry matter yield vetch (Vicia spp.) varieties in the study area. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was employed. Vetch (Vicia spp.) varieties were (viz. Vicia narbonensis- (Abdeta-118), Vicia villosa L.- (Lalisa-6792), Vicia sativa L. (ICARDA-61509), Vicia sativa L. (Gebisa-62632), Vicia dyscarpa Lana and Vicia atropurpureum). The results of the combined analysis revealed that plant height, days to 50% flowering, dry matter yield, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and seed yield varied significantly (P<0.05) between treatments except for the number of branches per plant. The highest plant height was obtained from Vicia villosa (Lelisa) (118.40 cm), followed by Vicia dyscarpa Lana (113.89 cm) and Vicia atropurpureum (113.73 cm), while the shortest plant height was recorded from Vicia narbonensis (Abdeta) (80.82 cm). However, the plant height of Vetch (Vicia spp.) varieties was significant when combined over time. The maximum dry matter yield (4.76 ton ha-1) was obtained from Vicia dyscarpa Lana, followed by Vicia atropurpureum (3.83 ton ha-1) and Vicia villosa (Lelisa) (3.46 ton ha-1). The analysis results for the ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents showed significantly (P < 0.05) different values among the vetch (Vicia spp.) varieties, except for the crude protein (CP) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents. Therefore, based on the performance of most parameters, the Vetch varieties Vicia villosa (Lelisa) and Vicia dyscarpa Lana were identified and recommended to livestock producers in highland areas of the North Shewa Zone, Oromia region.