ARS researchers have found a way to take the fear out of weed potential for farmers. Hairy Vetch is a cold-hardy plant that provides a good source of nitrogen for the soil. It often serves as a soil cover crop for erosion control and for animal feed. However, hairy vetch’s dormant seed can grow after harvest, creating weed problems for grain crops and their surrounding natural areas. Now, ARS researchers have identified a genomic region in the legume hairy vetch’s DNA that can eliminate the plant’s dormant seeds.
A collaboration between ARS researchers, USDA-NRCS plant material centers, and the Cover Crop Breeding Network has identified the genomic region in hairy vetch that largely eliminates its dormant seed. Their discovery will enable hairy vetch breeders to develop non-dormant hairy vetch varieties in 2 years, rather than a projected 7years without the genomic marker. This means more farmers may once again adopt hairy vetch cover crops, allowing for less soil erosion, better management of nitrogen fertilizers, and an increase in farm profitability.
Source : usda.gov