Authors : Ali Koc, Sule Erkovan, H. Ibrahim Erkovan, Ummuhan Oz, M. Mustafa Birben and Ridvan Tunc
Abstract: Competitive ability of common vetch (Vicia sativa cv Karaelci) and Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica cv Population) with barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Tokak) and oat (Avena sativa cv Gezkoy) were tested under greenhouse conditions at Ataturk University, Erzurum, between the date of 14 November, 2011 and 11 April, 2012. The vetches and cereals were sown at a ratio of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75. The cereals grown with common vetch had a higher Relative Height Growth Rate (RHGR). The highest RHGR was recorded when barley had a 25 or 50% sowing ratio in the mixture, although the RHGR of oat was not affected by the vetches. Whereas, the sowing ratio did not affect the RHGR of vetches common vetch grown with barley had higher RHGR. Total biomass production of cereals was higher when their sowing ratio was 25%. The cereals grown with Hungarian vetch produced more total biomass per plant than the other. Total biomass production of the vetches was the highest when grown at a sowing ratio of 50:50 and the vetches produced more total biomass when grown with barley. Leaf Mass Ratio (LMR) of cereals was higher when grown with common vetch. Vetches had least LMR at a sowing ratio of 50:50. Barley in the mixture resulted in decreases in the LMR of vetches. Since, barley grown with common vetch at a lower sowing ratio produced more above ground biomass, the Stem Mass Ratio (SMR) increased. Below ground production of cereals was negatively affected, although their above ground production was positively affected by vetches competition whereas, competitive effect of cereals on vetches was negative on above ground production while positive on below ground production in mixed cropping conditions. The results showed that a better facilitative effect between tested materials occurred at the mixture of common vetch with barley at 50:50 or lower barley sowing ratio. In conclusion, a barley-common vetch mixture should be suggested for cold climate areas in rotation systems to establish environmentally friendly cropping systems.
Ali Koc, Sule Erkovan, H. Ibrahim Erkovan, Ummuhan Oz, M. Mustafa Birben and Ridvan Tunc, 2013. Competitive Effects of Plant Species under Different Sowing Ratios in Some Annual Cereal and Legume Mixtures. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 509-520.