EFFECT OF SEEDING DATES ON DRY MATTER AND PROTEIN YIELD OF COMMON VETCH (Vicia sativa L.) IN MEDITERRANEAN RAINFED CONDITIONS

Abstract

The effects of seeding dates on forage, dry matter and crude protein yield were evaluated in common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) under fall and spring seeding conditions. Common vetch was seeded at 10-d intervals from October to December and March to May (9 dates in each period) on clay loam soil in Antalya. Seeding dates significantly affected forage, dry matter and crude protein yields both in fall and spring seeding conditions. Early and mid-November seedings resulted significantly in higher forage (17100-19120 kg ha''), dry matter (5264-6559 kg ha and crude protein (873-874 kg ha) yields than those of October and December. In spring, early seedings resulted in greater yield values than later seedings. The highest forage (8100 kg ha'). dry matter (2783 kg ha'') and crude protein yield (401 kg ha') were obtained in 10 March seeding. The experiments clearly showed that fall seedings provided higher yield values than spring seeding. Early and mid-November and early March seedings has proved the most favourable time for seeding dryland common vetch in the Antalya.