Ecogeographical distribution and biodiversity of winter vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) in Lithuania

Winter vetch (Vicia villosa) belongs to the element of European flora. It is known as a fodder plant and agrophytocenoses component. In the "Genefund" programme, the vetch has been investigated at the Lithuanian University of Agriculture since 1998. A collection of 48 accessions of different cenopopulations has been accumulated. Ecogeographical investigation demonstrated that the plant is mostly found in sandy eastern, southeastern and southwestern regions. Ex situ investigation revealed great phenological and biomorphological diversity of cenopopulations. The most varying parameters were as follows: the number of stem branchings, inflorescences of one plant, number of pods, stem height at the beginning of flowering, stalk length. The least varying were pod parameters: length, width. Correlations were established between stem height and the number of branchings (r=0.34), stem height and the number of pods (r=0.51), stem height and raceme stalk height (r=0.52). According to morphometric parameters, three groups of winter vetch were identified. The biggest seeds (1000-seed weight, 23.3 g) were found in the group of lowermost vetch. In the flowering stage, the amount of raw protein was up to 25% in the aboveground part. Differences in protein amount within cenopopulations were lower than differences between parameters. Under the same growing conditions (ex situ), phenological, morphometric and immunological differences were established in separate (geographically remote) cenopopulations of Vicia villosa. Seed number in a pod and 1000-seed weight were the most genetically determined parameters. Winter vetch is a polymorphic plant. Investigations revealed high diversity both of intracenopopulations and cenopopulations (individuals)Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij