Vicia incisa (Fabaceae). Taxonomical and chorological notes

The classification of the Vicia sativa aggregate is unsatisfactory. Concerning the taxonomic value and choice of rank of some of these taxa, there are disagreements among botanists. Vicia incisa, which was originally described at species level, was mostly treated at subspecies rank of V. sativa. However, chemical and molecular data pointed out that this taxon, not only should be treated at species rank, but it should be removed from the group of V. sativa, being more related to V. barbazitae, V. grandiflora, and V. sepium. Based on morphometric measurements and cultivation tests, as well as nomenclatural investigations, the present research was carried out with the main aim to define the better taxonomic rank for the studied taxon. The results obtained support the published molecular data concerning both the recognition of the studied taxon at species level and the morphological similarity among V. incisa, V. barbazitae, V. grandiflora and V. sepium

Preliminary evaluation of annually cultivated forage legumes for organic farming in Finland

In 1998-2001 nineteen forage legume species (Lupinus, Medicago, Melilotus, Pisum, Trifolium and Vicia species) were evaluated at two sites of Eastern Finland (Mikkeli and Juva). Species were studied for their annual productivity in pure stands and in mixtures with cereals (barley and oats) and Italian ryegrass. Swards were cut either twice or once (whole grain silage stage of barley)

Patterns of co-occurrence of rare and threatened species in winter arable plant communities of Italy

Detecting patterns of species co-occurrence is among the main tasks of plant community ecology. Arable plant communities are important elements of agroecosystems, because they support plant and animal biodiversity and provide ecosystem services. These plant communities are shaped by both agricultural and environmental drivers. The pressure of intensive agriculture worldwide has caused the decline of many characteristic arable species and communities. Italy is the European country where arable plant biodiversity is the best preserved. In this study, we assessed the patterns of co-occurrence of rare and threatened arable plants in 106 plots of winter arable vegetation located from Piedmont to Calabria, in the mainland part of the country. For this purpose, we based our investigation on the analysis of a recently acquired dataset and on the European list of rare and threatened arable plants. We highlight how dierent species of conservation interest tend to occur in the same community. On the other hand, generalist and more competitive taxa show similar patterns of co-occurrence. We suggest that single species of conservation value could be suitable indicators of a well-preserved community. On the other hand, to be eective, conservation strategies should target the whole community, rather than single species

Functional biodiversity to improve pest control in organic cropping systems

A sustainable use of functional agrobiodiversity (FAB) providing habitats with suitable floral resources is needed to conserve and improve pest control by natural enemies in organic cropping and other low-input systems. We present an overview on our activities identifying appropriate flowering plants in relation to the antagonists-pest complex and quantifying benefits and limits in lab- and field tests. We have focussed on the control of apple-aphids and cabbage lepidopterean pests in two organic cropping systems. We can show that tailoring the flowering strips to the needs of specific natural enemies within a cropping system is a key issue for successful application of FAB. We found plants as Fagopyrum esculentum, Centaurea cyanus and Vicia sativa enhancing target parasitoids in cabbage, and we found Daucus carota, Carvum carvi, Pastinca sativa, Vicia sepium as promising plants in apple orchards. A successful on-farm application of FAB using flowering strips and companion plants is challenging and needs further analyses of its impact on pest control, considering different scales as plot, farm and landscape

Grain legumes and human health

Since early civilisation in different continents, grain legumes have been a part of balanced diets together with cereals. In general the seeds from those two plant families give together a good source of essential amino acids and may have given an evolutionary advantage. A sustainable diet for vegetarians may not be possible without the protein-rich legumes. Consumed alone, legumes can be a mixed blessing because of their deficiency of some essential amino acids. This deficiency can be balanced in a varied diet containing components richer in tryptophan and the sulphur amino acid methionine and cysteine. Many legume species are exceptionally rich in secondary metabolites, some of which are beneficial to human health while without adequate processing through heating or leaching many can be detrimental to the health of the consumer. Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most popular and also one of the more healthy species. The presence of genistein and other isoflavones makes it famous as an anti-cancer nutraceutical. Isoflavones and other phytoestrogens, occurring mainly in legumes, might be a factor promoting longevity. Other beneficial secondary metabolites are found among the non-protein amino acids. Legumes are very rich in an enormous variety of non-protein amino acids that can be beneficial or toxic. A beneficial non-protein amino acid occurs in high concentration in fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a component of curry, while a variety of toxic amino acids occurs in the genera Lathyrus and Vicia. Legume seeds also contain a variety of anti-nutritional factors that can be reduced by post-harvest processing such as fermentation or germination. Fermentation also improves the balance of essential amino acids. Numerous dietary products such as soy sauce or tempeh are traditional food ingredients derived from legumes

100%-Biofütterung mit Rapskuchen und heimischen Körnerleguminosen bei der Fütterung von Legehennen verschiedener Herkünfte

Rations of 100% organic and local origin were tested. Up to 18% of thermally proc-essed rape cake was fed in different rations to two groups of laying hens. Faba beans, Vicia sativa and blue lupines were used as protein supplements to create a feeding ration. High vicine and covicine contents, especially in Vicia sativa, led to a refusal of some food rations. No ration has been found suitable for daily use. Chicken fed with a rape cake ration laid eggs with a positive fatty acid pattern, which is favourable for human diets

Preliminary evaluation of perennial forage legumes for organic farming in Finland

In 1998-2001 fourteen forage legume species were evaluated for their productivity in mixed organic swards. The aim was to find new alternatives for red clover. Medicago falcata produced the highest dry matter yield (about 11 000 kg/ha/year). Dry matter production of Trifolium pratense, Trifolium hybridum and Medicago sativa varied from 2 200 to 10 600 kg/ha/year

The "Carex" fen vegetation of northern New South Wales

The floristic composition and extent of Carex-dominated fens in the New South Wales New England Tablelands Bioregion and Barrington Tops area (lat 28° 41’ S–31° 55’ S; long 151° 23’ E–152° 05’ E) together with outliers from the central west (Coonabarabran) are described from 81 full floristic survey sites. These fens contained 234 vascular plant taxa of which 27% were exotic. The fens were dominated by herbaceous vegetation (96% of taxa). Cluster analysis of cover-abundance scores of vascular plant taxa from 81 plots placed within 71 separate Carex fens revealed three alliances: 1) Carex appressa, 2) Scirpus polystachyus – Carex tereticaulis and 3) Carex gaudichaudiana and seven communities: (1) Carex appressa – Stellaria angustifolia Fen (2) Carex appressa Fen (3) Scirpus polystachyus – Carex appressa Fen (4) Carex tereticaulis Fen (5) Carex gaudichaudiana – Isachne globosa Fen (6) Carex sp. Bendemeer – Carex gaudichaudiana Fen (7) Carex gaudichaudiana – Glyceria australis Fen The distribution of alliances showed a pattern of east-west separation. The most easterly alliance shares many features with the Carex gaudichaudiana Alliance of the Monaro Region of southern NSW while the other alliances have no counterparts within the current literature. We estimate that up to 5 000 ha of fen vegetation survive in the New England Bioregion of which 90% is on grazed land and only 0.2% is within conservation reserves. Seven outstanding examples of fens remain; most are examples of Community 5, with one representing Community 6 and none representing the other five communities. Many of these are not secured, and none of those within reserves are in their ‘natural’ state. We therefore strongly encourage measures to allow closure of drains, the opening of dams, and the rehabilitation of important fens such as Bishops, Racecourse and New Country Swamps

Total N difference method and 15N isotope dilution methode - A comparative study on N-fixation

In the study, the 15N fixation of a number of green manure crops were studied using either the 15N dilution technique, or the simple total N difference method. The results of the two methods were not very different, and the total N difference method seemed to give as good results as the more complicated and expencive 15N dillution method

Nutritional and energy value of Vicia sativa pods

Vicia sativa is one of the most important crops for livestock feed. Pods from Vicia sativa seed production are usually discarded. The objective of this study was to report the nutritional value of Vicia sativa pods. Report of the bromatological analysis was 17.58% for crude protein, 44.96% for neutral detergent fiber, and 55.81% for in vitro dry matter digestibility. Estimates of the energy value on dry matter basis (Mcal kg–1) were made for digestible and metabolizable energy, with values of 2.46 and 2.01, respectively. Vicia sativa pods promise enormous potential as a protein supplement on livestock diets when other sources are not available