Vicia sepium – Breed or weed? : introducing a native legume for Swedish leys

Sammanfattning

Introducing native legumes in grassland production systems in northern Sweden can maybe be a sustainable way to produce forage. This thesis examined whether the native perennial legume Vicia sepium L. would be suitable to introduce in forage production as a way of diversifying species composition used in leys. Two objectives were examined.The first objective focused on Swedish ethnobotanical history of V. sepium, encircling information on previous use and experience of this species as a crop. The second objective was to observe the range of natural environments in which V. sepium grows, focusing on the province of Jämtland, Sweden. Site characteristics and management of 15 randomly selected wild growth locations of V. sepium were noted, along with observations of the plant community. Soil samples were taken for analysis of soil texture, chemistry, and biology. The results examining historical sources showed that already from the 18th century and onward, V. sepium was considered a good crop with many desirable qualities, such as palatability and durability when established. Up until the mid-20th century it was investigated in field trials on a modest scale and seed collected by farmers were traded to a limited degree. Nevertheless, V. sepium was considered a well-known and strong candidate for fodder production when Sweden scouted the Swedish flora for quality crops. Due to small scale production and wild traits, V. sepium was outcompeted by more easily accessible species. These other species entered from abroad and had reached further in breeding programmes. Observations of the natural environments of V. sepium present this legume enjoying a quite wide range of habitats. It grows in lighter soils with a large diversity of species, as well as in habitats ranging from grassland to more shaded forest areas. It also handles disturbances well, seemingly with a fast regrowth if the growth site is cut. Hence, introducing V. sepium in today’s forage production could be viable. It could support sustainable farming methods as the species suppress weed and show durability. Thus lessening the need of frequent tillage. It could also enhance sustainable farming methods by supporting ecosystem services such as pollination. Wider embracing of native perennial legumes such as V. sepium will require commitment from the seed production industry for seed production and distribution.