The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a sowing date on the dry matter yield, tetany ratio, mineral and fiber content of two vetch species (Hungarian vetch and common vetch) and their newly developed varieties. This research was conducted during 2016-2018, at the Research and Experimental Area (40°59ʹ25.2ʺ N, 27°34ʹ48.4ʺ E), Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Turkey. It was set up in a randomized split block design with three replications. Certified seeds of the common vetch (Alper, Orakefe and Selçuk) and Hungarian vetch (Altınova, Ege Beyazı and Sarıefe) varieties were used. The dry matter yields of varieties from each vetch species decreased with the delay of a sowing date (from November to February). The highest dry matter yield was obtained from common vetch varieties Orakefe (7.08 Mg ha-1) and Selçuk (6.98 Mg ha-1) at 1st sowing date (November). The delay of sowing dates (from November to February) resulted in an increase in the crude protein and fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin content. The highest P content (0.29 %) was determined in Hungarian vetch variety Altınova at the first sowing date. The highest P content (0.44 %) was obtained from common vetch variety Orakefe at 3rd sowing date (January). The highest K content (2.28 %) was recorded from Hungarian vetch varieties at 1st sowing date. The lowest K content (2.61 %) was obtained from common vetch varieties at same sowing date. The highest Ca (1.30%) and Mg (0.49%) contents of Hungarian vetch were found in variety Ege Beyazı at 4th sowing date (February), the lowest tetany ratio (0.97) was calculated for the same variety and sowing date. The lowest Fe (82 mg kg-1 for Hungarian vetch variety Ege Beyazı, 107.50 mg kg-1 for common vetch variety Alper), Cu (17.78-14.90 mg kg-1 for Hungarian vetch varieties Ege Beyazı and Sarıefe, 15.17 mg kg-1 for common vetch variety Alper) and Mn (28.53-28.62 mg kg-1 for Hungarian vetch varieties Ege Beyazı and Altınova, 27.54 mg kg-1 for common vetch variety Orakefe) contents were recorded at 3rd, 2nd (December) and 1st sowing dates, respectively. The lowest Zn content (14.12 mg kg-1) was recorded from Hungarian vetch variety Ege Beyazı at 3rd sowing date. Besides, the lowest Zn content (16.73 mg kg-1) was obtained from common vetch variety Alper at 1st sowing date.

26.4.2021