Determination of the effects of different rates of Hungarian Vetch (Vicia pannonnica Crantz) + Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) mixtures on yield and quality under Kırşehir conditions

This study was conducted to determine yield and quality characteristics of different mixture ratios of Hungarian Vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in Kırşehir conditions by using Altınova-2002 Hungarian vetch and Trinova Italian ryegrass varieties. Trial was designed in randomized complete block in the field trial area of Ahi University during the vegetation period of 2013-2014. Yields of pure sowed and mixtures were determined between 683.5-963.3 kg/da for herbage, 205.3-315.9 kg/da for dry matter, 23.70-50.18 kg/da for crude protein yield. Crude protein, ADF, NDF, ADL ratios and LER values ranged between 11.58-17.86%, 28.69-39.66%, 37.12-59.67%, 6.22-7.84%, 1.09-1.27 respectively. The highest herbage and dry matter yield was obtained from the Hungarian vetch 80%+ Italian ryegrass 20% mixture. The lowest rates of ADF and NDF were obtained from the pure sowed Hungarian vetch while the highest rates were obtained from the pure sowed Italian ryegrass. ADF, NDF rates were declined and crude protein rates were increased when Hungarian vetch rates in the mixtures increased. In conclusion, Hungarian vetch 80%+ Italian ryegrass 20% mixture was found superior than the other pure sowed species and mixtures in terms of yield and quality characters and it is concluded that this mixture can be grown successfully in Kırşehir conditions.