VETCH

VETCH – Vicia

Leguminosae

Vicia is a genus of plant from the Leguminosae family, which includes over 200 species, commonly known as vetch.

This genus contains some cultivated species, the most famous one being the broad bean.

Species in this genus are either annual or perennial herbs.

Products:

Types

BROAD BEAN

(Vicia faba)

The broad bean is a legume in the Vicieae tribe; its botanical name is Vicia faba (or Faba vulgaris).

The broad bean is an annual, fast-growing plant, which stands upright, is hairless and grey-green in colour. Its development is permanent and its root system has voluminous tubercles.

It is a legume that is unearthed and frees the soil relatively quickly, which allows for excellent wheat preparation. Broad bean is an excellent crop booster and therefore an ideal preceding crop for wheat. Its position is between two cereals in crop rotation.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Upright – Tall
Cycle	Short
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Temperate
Climate Resistance	It does not tolerate cold or humidity
Soil Resistance	Heavy, clay, clay-calcareous; it spurns loose soil types and those with low humus content, organic material or which are susceptible to water stagnation.
Areas of Cultivation	Widespead
Fibre	Balanced fibre supply
Use	Fresh forage or silage, hay
Seeding Dose	130/200 Kg/Ha

COMMON VETCH

(Vicia sativa)

An annual climbing leguminous plant. It is not very resistant to the cold.
It is sown in autumn in regions with mild winters and in spring in colder regions (northern Italy).
It may be sown on its own for green forage or hay (in which case it must be mown before it flowers fully) or silos (in which case it must be mown at the end of its flowering stage); or it may be used in plant combinations to form autumn or spring herbal gardens with other leguminous or poaceae plants to increase the supply of protein.
It is an excellent green manure essence because of its nitrogen-fixing characteristics and its ability to suppress weeds.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual – Prostrate – Climber – Medium size – Ability to combine with other plants
Cycle	Medium
Climate Adaptability	Tropical and subtropical – Mediterranean – Warm temperate
Climate Resistance	Hot, humid and cold
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Heavy, clay – Calcareous
Cultivation Zones	North and South: Mountains and plains
Use	Hay: Green or silage
Seeding Dose	90-120 Kg/Ha

MILUKA Variety

WINTER VETCH

(Vicia villosa)

An annual leguminous climber plant, which is very rustic and resistant to the cold. It provides abundant produce because of its advanced development; it regrows easily after cutting. It develops prematurely in spring and produces good results in thin soil.

It supports different soil types and drought, adapting to acidic and sandy areas in the same way that it adapts to heavy soil types or those susceptible to water stagnation.

Excellent for green manure because of its aggressive growth in springtime.

Characteristics:

Characteristics	Annual, Biennial – Prostrate, Climber – Medium height – Ability to regrow and
	combine with other plants
Cycle	Medium
Climate Adaptability	Mediterranean – Warm and cool temperate
Climate Resistance	Cold, hot, humid and dry
Soil Adaptability	Light, sandy – Heavy, clay – Calcareous, Dry
Areas of Cultivation	North and South: Mountains and plains
Use	Pasture – Hay – Silage
Seeding Dose	75-100 Kg/Ha