Abstract:
The study was conducted to determine the biomass and seed yield, crude protein (CP), neutral
detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin, ash contents and In vitro dry matter
digestibility of the four vetch (Vicia) species(Vicia dasycarpa, Vicia villosa, Vicia atropurpurea and Vicia
sativa) which grows (planted) at the agricultural research Centre of Jimma University. The fresh and dry forage
yield, plant height and grain yield had significant difference at p (0.05) with the highest and lowest fresh and
dry forage yield of 16331±11.62kgha & 3643±6.89 in Vicia villosa and14833 ±14.57kgha & 2799±9.95in Vicia 1 c 1
sativa respectively. The longest height was recorded in Vicia dasycarpa 130±1.76cm and the shortest one was
Vicia sativa 81±1.76cm. The average grain yields were varied ranging from 12.16±0.10 tha to 14.29±0.16 tha 1 1
in Vicia atropurpurea and Vicia sativa respectively. On the other hand the highest crude protein (CP), acid
detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were recorded in Vicia dasycarpa, 18.9%DM,
37.3%DM and 10.76%DM respectively. The maximum neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 49.4%DM and ash 12%DM
were found in Vicia villosa. Concerning In vitro dry matter digestibility the best one was Vicia atropurpurea
75%DM followed by Vicia villosa 71%DM, Vicia sativa 67%DM and the minimum was 64%DM in Vicia
dasycarpa. Generally the vetch (vicia) species were well adapted and being productive regarding the biomass
yield, seed yield and nutritional value of each species, which is hopeful to fill the gap of low quantity and
quality ruminant feed supply of the country.
