Vicia villosa subsp. varia

Vicia villosa Roth subsp. varia (Host) Corb.

Note: The other three subspecies of Vicia villosa Roth, subsp. eriocarpa (Hausskn.) P.W. Ball, subsp. pseudocracca (Bertol.) Rouy and ssp. villosa, have not been used commercially to any extent in warmer climates, and are therefore excluded from this fact sheet.

Basionym: Vicia varia Host; Vicia dasycarpa Ten.; Vicia villosa subsp. dasycarpa (Ten.) Cavill.; Vicia glabrescens (W.D.J. Koch) Heimerl; Vicia villosa var. glabrescens W.D.J. Koch; Vicia villosa var. villosa Roth

Family: Fabaceae (alt. Leguminosae) subfamily: Faboideae tribe: Fabeae.

Herbaceous, self-regenerating, cool season annual (rarely biennial), prostrate when young, 30‒70 cm deep in mature sward, scrambling and climbing to 1.2 m on vegetation scaffold.  Shallow taproot system with strong lateral branches.  Stems finely ridged, glabrescent to pubescent, to 2 m long.  Leaves pinnate, with branched terminal tendril.  Leaflets hairy, usually 12‒16 (‒20), alternate to nearly opposite, narrowly oblong, obtuse and mucronate, 10‒25 mm long, (2‒) 4‒6 (‒8) mm wide, petiolule 1‒2 mm long; stipules 1 cm long, 2 mm broad, often with a small lateral lobe, ciliate margined, appressed pubescent.  Raceme to about 10 cm long on peduncle 6 cm long, axillary, dense, (5‒) 10‒25 (‒30)-flowered, secund, pubescent in the bud.  Flowers (10‒) 12‒15 (‒18) mm long; calyx irregular, the tube 2.0‒4.0 mm long, gibbous at the base on the upper side, the pedicel inserted ventrally, the lower teeth linear-acicular, about 2 mm long; corolla purplish pink (rarely white), standard and wings light to dark purple (sometimes pink or white), keel pale pink to white with a dark purple spot at the tip.  Pod oblong-rhomboidal, 20‒30 mm long, 7‒10 mm broad, beaked, covered with fine appressed hairs; fawn coloured and mostly dehiscent when mature (indehiscent types being selected); (2‒) 3‒5 (‒8) seeds.  Seeds globular to compressed globular, 3‒5 mm in diameter, blackish brown with obscure mottling; hilum 1‒2 mm long, not prominent.  18,000‒28,000 seeds per kg.

subsp. varia: plants glabrate to pubescent with subappressed to spreading hairs shorter than 1 mm; upper lobe of calyx lanceolate to narrow-lanceolate, 1‒2 ‒2.4) mm long; all calyx teeth shorter than calyx tube; raceme usually shorter than or equalling leaf length, commonly with 10‒20 loosely arranged flowers.

subsp. villosa: plants conspicuously villous with hairs 1‒2 mm long; upper lobe of calyx acicular, 2‒4 mm long; lower calyx teeth equalling or longer than calyx tube; raceme length similar to or slightly longer than leaf length, commonly with more than 20 crowded flowers.

Asia: 欧洲苕子 ou zhou tiao zi, 长柔毛野豌豆 chang rou mao ye wan dou ≡ V. villosa (China)

English: fodder vetch, smooth vetch, thick fruited vetch, winter vetch, woolly-pod vetch

Eurasia: gorošek šerstistoplodnyj (Armenia);  šarena grahorica, ogoljena grahorica, grahor čupavi (Croatia); glat vikke (Denmark); vesce bigarrée, vesce variée (France); ervilhaca, ervilhaca-peluda, ervilhaca-vilosa, vica (Portugal); goroshek izmenchivyi, goroshek sherstistoplodnyi (Russia); arvejilla, garlanda (Spain); kvarnvicker (Sweden)

Note:  The numerous other common names used around the world that may refer to Vicia villosa Roth or one or more of the 4 subspecies, not necessarily subsp. varia (Host) Corb., have not been included in this publication.

Native:

Africa:  Algeria; Canary Islands; Egypt; Libya; Morocco; Tunisia

Asia:  Armenia; Azerbaijan; Cyprus; Georgia; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Russian Federation (Checheno-Ingushetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar, North Ossetia, Stavropol); Syria; Turkey

Europe:  Albania; Austria; Bulgaria; Czech Republic; France (incl. Corsica); Germany; Greece (incl. Crete); Hungary; Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily); Lithuania; Portugal; Romania; Spain (incl. Baleares); Switzerland; Ukraine (incl. Krym)

Cultivated/naturalized: elsewhere

Forage

Used as a grazing or conserved fodder (hay/silage) crop.

Environment

It has found a role as a green manure, or ground cover in vines and orchards, and in intercropping systems with oats (Avena sativa) and maize (Zea mays).  It reputedly has allelopathic properties that help suppress weeds.

Other

Not suitable for grain due to low seed yields and seed toxicity.  V. villosa ssp. varia can stimulate germination of the hemi-parasitic Orobanche (broomrape, a relative of Striga), without itself being parasitised.  This characteristic can be put to good effect in reducing populations of the parasite in cropping areas.

Soil requirements

Adapted to well-drained sands to heavy clays with pH from (4.5‒) 6.0 to 7.0 (‒8.2).  While tolerant of acid/low fertility with moderate levels of exchangeable soil aluminium, it is intolerant of high exchangeable aluminium levels, and performs best in near neutral soils of at least moderate fertility.  It has some degree of salt tolerance.  The species regenerates well except on bare, hard-setting soil surfaces.

Moisture

Grown in areas with average annual rainfall (350‒) 500‒700 (‒1,000) mm, often where clovers and medics do not do well.  Has moderate drought tolerance, and does not tolerate waterlogging.

Temperature

Found naturally at altitudes from 0 to 3,000 m asl, and between about 30° and 50° N.  It has been successfully grown elsewhere in areas with 24 hr average temperature as low as 8.4 °C (SD 1.3) (Bolivia, 18°48' S, 3,900 m asl) and up to 19.4 °C (SD 4.2) (Australia 29°40' S, 70 m asl).  In warmer climates, it produces most of its growth in autumn, winter and spring.  However, it is fairly dormant over winter in colder climates, but can survive freezing conditions for days.

Light

Moderate shade tolerance.

Reproductive development

In temperate areas, plants flower from late spring to mid-summer, commencing and finishing earlier in the subtropics, with some variation among cultivars.  Flowering behaviour in the high altitude tropics appears to be somewhat controlled by wet season onset.  Flowers are usually cross-pollinated by bumble bees, and although some self-pollination may occur, cross-pollination greatly increases seed production.

Defoliation

The stand should not be cut or grazed before commencement of branching, since early defoliation can kill young plants.  The general recommendation is to graze from about the 10‒15 node stage through to flowering.  Grazing later than this can cause poisoning problems, even death of the grazing animal.  If the legume is to be used as a self regenerating annual, it must be managed to facilitate seed set.  This means avoiding or reducing grazing from flowering onwards, particularly in the first year, in order to build up a soil seed reserve.  It is very tolerant of mowing, providing it is cut no lower than 12‒15 cm, and not within two months of seed set.  It is best cut in full bloom for hay production.  Leaves and stems dry rapidly and swaths can usually be gathered within a day or two if weather is suitable.  In vetch-oats systems in the tropical highlands, cutting twice or even 3 times in a season is better than a single harvest to maximize productivity.

Fire

Not applicable.

Establishment

In cooler climates, V. villosa ssp. varia is best sown in autumn so young plants are well established before the onset of extreme cold.  In warmer environments, it should be sown once the heat of the warm season declines, perhaps late autumn-early winter.  In intermediate environments, it can be sown year round providing moisture is available.  In very high altitude tropics ( >2,000 m), where temperatures are suitable year round for growth of this species, it is best to sow immediately prior to the beginning of the wet season.  Most varieties have high levels of hard seed, making some type of scarification necessary in hand-harvested seed.  Seed should be inoculated with pea/vetch inoculum such as Rhizobium leguminosarum strain SU303 used in Australia.  Recommended sowing rates vary significantly, from (6‒) 10‒15 (‒30) kg/ha when sown alone, and 4‒8 kg/ha in mixtures.  Heavier sowing rates are suggested for broadcast [(15‒) 30‒60 kg/ha] over drilling (10‒30 kg/ha).  Seed is sown at 1‒3 cm depth, with shallower sowings in clay soils and deeper sowings in sandy soils.  Broadcast sowings should be harrowed or lightly disked after planting.  Seedlings are initially slow to develop.

Fertilizer

Annual applications of 1‒15 kg/ha of phosphorus help maintain soil P levels in more fertile soils, but rates up to 50 kg may be needed on calcareous or ironstone soils, or other soils with inherently low available P levels.  Deficiency of sulphur and trace elements can be indicated by foliar symptoms or soil tests if available.

Compatibility (with other species)

Compatibility with other species may be somewhat compromised by its reputed allelopathic properties, which have the advantage of suppressing weeds, but may also suppress beneficial species.

Companion species

Grasses: Avena sativa, Digitaria eriantha, Lolium multiflorum, Panicum coloratum, Phalaris aquatica, Setaria incrassata, Zea mays

Legumes: other Vicia spp., Medicago spp.

Pests and diseases

Vicia villosa ssp. varia is mostly tolerant of or resistant to arthropod pests and the various diseases afflicting other cool season legumes.  The only pests to cause much harm are heliothis budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), lucerne seed web moth (Etiella behrii Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Homoptera: Aphidae).  Lucerne flea (Sminthurus viridis Collembola: Sminthuridae) can be a pest in young plants.  Reports on susceptibility to bluegreen aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) vary.  It is resistant to spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis trifolii f. maculata) and pea weevil (Sitona lineatus Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and tolerant of red-legged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor Acari: Tydaeidae).

Root rots of seedlings caused by various soil borne fungi can cause poor emergence and reduced establishment of the crop, especially under cold and wet conditions.  Some genotypes are resistant to a number of diseases that afflict other Vicia spp.: chocolate spot/botrytis (Botrytis viciae), rust (Uromyces vicia-fabae) and Ascochyta (Ascochyta fabae), although botrytis can still affect stands during very wet weather.  It can be a host of Sclerotinia minor, which causes disease in subsequent alternative crops.  Resistance to rootknot (Meloidogyne spp.) and cyst (Heterodera spp.) nematodes is present, but not universal in the species.

Ability to spread

Seeds are large and not readily dispersed, other than ballistically as seedpods dry and dehisce.

Weed potential

It is primarily a weed of disturbed sites, which can include grain crops following a green manure crop of the legume.  It is important to plough the green manure in before seed maturity to avoid this problem.

Nutritive value

Crude protein levels of the tops range from about 20 to 30%.  IVDMD at pre-flowering has been measured at 82%, NDF at 32%, ADF at 27%.

Palatability/acceptability

It is generally considered unpalatable to cattle in the early stages of growth or on first exposure to the plant, but is often well-eaten by sheep at any stage.  Cattle may take a few days to accept it.

Toxicity

Vegetative material is generally considered safe for ruminant consumption, but there are many references to poisoning in cattle, pigs and poultry from eating seeds of V. villosa ssp. varia.  Seed contains various toxic principles, including high quantities (>2.0 percent) of canavanine, which can reduce feed intake of pigs.  Symptoms in cattle include ill-thrift, dermatitis and diarrhoea.  Although mortality has been observed in cattle grazing green crops, it predominantly occurs during seed formation.  Notwithstanding, the species is still widely valued as a fodder for ruminants.  Incidence of bloat is rare.

Feedipedia link

https://www.feedipedia.org/node/238

Dry matter

V. villosa ssp. varia has higher dry matter production than V. sativa.  DM yields of >3 t/ ha have been achieved at 18 weeks and >6 t/ha at 24 weeks, and annual yields of up to 12 t/ha.  Annual yields of oats-vetch mixture of 11‒17 t DM/ha with crude protein levels of 14‒16% have been achieved in the Ethiopian Highlands.

Animal production

Improvements in milk and meat production have been measured comparing vetch-oats systems with traditional feeding systems.  However, it is difficult to ascribe the benefit to individual components of the more productive system.

2n = 14, 28.  V. villosa ssp. varia is an out-crossing but self-fertile species.  Therefore, regeneration of particular genotypes requires the use of procedures that provide isolation from foreign pollen.

• Adapted to acid, low fertility soils.
• High nutritive value.
• Good pioneer species.
• Long growing season.
• Low bloat risk in cattle.
• Good for soil improvement.
• Ease of establishment.

• Poor palatability, especially when young.
• Slow winter growth.
• Susceptible to heavy grazing pressure at establishment and in the spring.
• Potential weed of winter crops.
• Seed toxicity.
• Allelopathic (can also be an advantage).

Coraglio, J.C., Vieyra, C.A. and Nienstedt, E.F. (2001) Obtención del cultivar "Tolse F.C.A." de Vicia dasycarpa (Ten.). Agriscientia 18:59–62. revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/agris/article/view/2646

Hakyemez, H., Altinok, S. and Sevimay, C.S. (1997) Adaptation of woolypod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa (Ten.) Cav.) lines under Ankara conditions. Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture Journal of Agricultural Sciences 3:1–5. tarimbilimleri.agri.ankara.edu.tr/eng/cilt31_eng.htm#demir

Harper, P.A.W., Cook, R.W., Gill, P.A., Fraser, G.C., Badcoe, L.M. and Power, J.M. (1993) Vetch toxicosis in cattle grazing Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa and V. benghalensis. Australian Veterinary Journal 70:140–144. doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1993.tb06107.x

Hollowell, E.A. (1960) Registration of Varieties and Strains of Vetch (Vicia spp.). Agronomy Journal 52:407. doi.org/10.2134/agronj1960.00021962005200070012x

Kernick, M.D. (1978) Indigenous arid and semiarid forage plants of North Africa, the Near and the Middle-East. FAO Technical Data Vol. IV. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy. p. 521–568.

Larbi, A., Abd El-Moneim, A.M., Nakkoul, H., Jammal, B. and Hassan, S. (2011) Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 4. Woolly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa Roth). Animal Feed Science and Technology 164:252–261. doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.01.005

Peet, R.L. and Gardner, J.J. (1986) Poisoning of cattle by hairy or woolly-pod vetch, Vicia villosa subspecies dasycarpa. Australian Veterinary Journal 63:381–382. doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1986.tb02910.x

'Auburn' Released in USA (1959).  Selected and developed by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station as a forage and cover crop.

'Capello' Released in Australia (1998).  An early maturing, soft-seeded cultivar, bred through induced mutation of germinating seed of ‘Namoi’ using EMS (ethylmethane sulphonate), followed by recurrent mass selection.  In each cycle, spaced plants were selected for vegetative production, flowering time, seed yield and percentage soft seed.  The seed parent had 80% hard seed while ‘Capello’ had 80‒90% soft seeds, making it more suitable for short-term cropping rotations.  The low percentage of hard seed reduces the likelihood of volunteer plants causing weed problems several years after use in the rotation.  Outcrossing has reduced the level of soft-seededness.

'Haymaker Plus' Released in Australia (1998).  An early maturing, free-seeding cultivar, bred through recurrent mass selection of ‘Namoi’; also selected for strong vegetative growth.  ‘Haymaker Plus’ is distinguished from its seed parent by its earlier and uniform flowering, and higher seed yield.

'Kuhak-96' Released in Pakistan (1997).  Selected from ICARDA germplasm, IFLVD-683, to be sufficiently cold tolerant for autumn sowing and productive in the arid highlands of Balochistan.  It grows slowly in the autumn, which enabled it to survive extreme cold, and given warm spring temperatures and adequate precipitation, proved a highly productive forage crop, producing 8.3 t/ha of dry matter and 1.1 t/ha of seed.

'Lana' Released in USA (1956).  Composite of three elite lines selected from PI 117430 from Adana, Turkey (37°1' N, 20 m asl, rainfall 648 mm).  It is an early-maturing variety (about 1 week earlier than ‘Auburn’), with good seedling vigour and rapid growth.  Selected and developed by the SCS Plant Materials Center, USDA, in cooperation with the Agronomy Department of UC, Davis for rangeland use in California, and now used in other states including Hawaii.

'Namoi' Released in Australia (1972).  Derived from CPI 15095, introduced from Izmir, Turkey, and selected in Western Australia from other lines of V. villosa ssp. varia for early maturity, general vigour, and high seed production.

'Tolse F.C.A.' Released in Argentina (2001).  Selected in Córdoba Province from R.I.-250 from USDA, for drought and cold tolerance, vigour, growth period, insect and disease tolerance, and larger seed size.

None reported.