Popany

Popany Popany Purple Vetch (Vicia benghalensis) demonstrates late maturity along with a semi erect to erect growth habit. Mature plants form a dense canopy providing strong weed competition. Popany is well suited to a range of soil types, but has a preference for loam to clay loams. It has low levels of hard seed that makes it well suited to short term cropping rotations whilst providing the added benefits of being a highly efficient and effective soil nitrogen producer. It is suited for hay, grazing or silage production. Popany is ideal as a break crop and is well suited for hay production or turned in as green manure crop to improve soil health.

Name: Popany
Category: Purple Vetch
Rainfall: 450-700mm
pH: 5.0-8.0
Maturity: 130 to 150 days
Soil Type: Sandy loam through clay loams
Inoculant: Group E Rhizobium
Sowing Rate: 25-35 kg/ha (Pure) 15-30 kg/ha (Cereal Mixes)
Pest Resistance: Popany can be susceptible to Red Legged Earth Mite (Halotydens destructor), Native Bud Worm (Helicoverpa punctigera) and Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora).
Features:
- Late maturing variety
- Suitable for grazing, hay, or green manuring
- Soft seeded
- Mostly grown as a mixture with cereals
- Offers good forage production
Disease Resistance/Tolerance:
Popany has demonstrated a high level of resistance to Chocolate Spot (Botrytis spp.) and Rust (Uromyces trifolli-repentis) but is susceptible to Downy Mildew (Peronospora viciae).
Variety Management/Agronomy:
Popany is a soft seeded variety that has between 10-15% hard seed levels. This is advantageous for use in cereal rotations to reduce levels of contamination in following years. Grazing Vetch is not suited to close grazing as their growing points are above ground level. However, in longer season environments Popany can be grazed successfully provided that it is only light and that the growing points are not damaged. Heavy grazing will cause significant damage to the plant and may not recover. Popany is very well suited to silage/hay cuts or green manuring situations.