HAIRY VETCH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND RESOURCE-USE EFFICIENCY IN SORGHUM GROWN UNDER RAINFED CONDITION

In Mediterranean rainfed systems facing heat and water constraints, diversification strategies such as cover crops and intercropping can enhance ecosystem services (ES) while reducing dependence on external inputs. In this context, legumes are central because they enhance soil functioning and nutrient availability, supporting sustainable production under low-input conditions. The EU Horizon Europe VALERECO project aims to quantify and increase the value of ES delivered by legumes, supporting their adoption. Within VALERECO, a field trial evaluates hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth cv. Villana) as a legume cover crop preceding sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. PR88Y47), focusing on ESs delivery and system resource-use efficiency. The experiment follows a randomized complete block design with three treatments: (i) no-cover, (ii) vetch managed as a relay intercrop and maintained as a living cover until strip-till sorghum seeding, and (iii) vetch managed as green manure before sowing. We expect different ES outcomes, with relay intercropping enhancing soil cover and weed suppression, and green manure increasing N supply to sorghum. To quantify the multifunctional value of vetch, we measure vetch biomass and N content, sorghum N uptake, and indicators of N-use efficiency. We also assess soil cover, weed density and biomass, and sorghum yield and quality. Results will support management recommendations for hairy vetch to optimize N contributions, weed regulation and resource-use efficiency, improving subsequent sorghum performance and quality in Mediterranean rainfed cropping systems.