Combining in vitro and Field Studies to Predict Drought Tolerance in Vicia sativa L. Genotypes

Vetch (<i>Vicia sativa</i> L.), an important forage legume, faces increasing drought stress due to climate change. This study evaluated drought responses in 26 genotypes using both in vitro and field trials. <i>In vitro</i> experiments analysed seedlings grown on culture media either with 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) to simulate drought (C20) or without PEG as a control (C0), measuring root and shoot dry weights as well as proline content. Field trials under rainfed and drought conditions assessed 100 seed weight and seed weight per plant. All traits studied exhibited high variability, with elevated coefficients of variation and broad-sense heritability. Seedling roots grown in C20 had higher dry weight than those in C0, while shoots showed the opposite trend. In C20 medium, proline content increased significantly-by 118.1% in roots and 131.1% in shoots. However, proline concentration did not correlate with field yield traits, limiting its utility as a drought tolerance marker. Principal component analysis grouped genotypes based on biomass production and drought response. Importantly, <i>in vitro</i> root and shoot dry weights were positively correlated with field yield traits, indicating their value as early predictors of agronomic performance and offering a useful tool for selection in vetch breeding programmes.