Environmental Effects of Hairy Vetch

Presenter: Eleazar Salas Viniegra

Co-Presenter(s):
Magdalena Aguilar, Andrea Barnes, Sarah Wong

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Department: Biology

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1egFsAFrCvNYnJoPxfD8FwZKgm-ZjjvX0

Abstract:
Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), is considered an invasive species in Northern California, but it’s also a source of soil nutrients in managed plant communities. We studied whether hairy vetch could be beneficial despite its status. This case study will examine three attributes of hairy vetch: its nitrogen-fixing properties and how they affect the soil, its use as a cover crop to increase plant growth, and use of extracted plant chemicals in human health treatments. We gathered information using databases and found little support for the idea that hairy vetch is an invasive species that harms native plants. Hairy vetch is a good cover crop that increases crop production. Some research articles described reductions of fertilizer use through hairy vetch. As a result, it could be used in more standard agriculture practices to add nutrients in the soil instead of fertilizers. We found that hairy vetch provides a wide range of benefits to humans and is not a harmful, invasive plant.