Genome-wide association mapping in hairy vetch () discovers a large effect locus controlling seed dormancy.

Hairy vetch ( Roth), a winter-hardy annual legume, is a promising cover crop. To fully leverage its potential, seed production and field performance of must be improved to facilitate producer adoption. Two classic domestication traits, seed dormancy (hard seed) and dehiscence (pod shatter), are selection targets in an ongoing breeding program.

Transcript profiling of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) identified interesting genes for seed dormancy.

Hairy vetch, a diploid annual legume species, has a robust growth habit, high biomass yield, and winter hardy characteristics. Seed hardness is a major constraint for growing hairy vetch commercially. Hard seeded cultivars are valuable as forages, whereas soft seeded and shatter resistant cultivars have advantages for their use as a cover crop.

Pod Dehiscence in Hairy Vetch ( Roth).

Hairy vetch, (Roth), is a cover crop that does not exhibit a typical domestication syndrome. Pod dehiscence reduces seed yield and creates weed problems for subsequent crops. Breeding efforts aim to reduce pod dehiscence in hairy vetch.