Effect of sowing dates and seed treatments on yield, some yield parameters and protein content of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The present study was carried out in 2006 and 2007 crop seasons at Suleyman Demirel University research farms, Turkey. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sowing times and different seed treatments (control, distilled water, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm GA3) on 100 seed weight, harvest index, seed yield and protein content in 3 chickpea cultivars (Gokce, Akcin 91 and Ispanyol). Significant differences were detected for cultivars, sowing dates and seed treatments. 100 seed weight, harvest index, seed yield and protein content were recorded as 32.7 - 44.2 g, 38.7 - 54.1%, 63.1 - 180.3 kg/da and 20.1 - 27.3%, respectively. 100 seed weight, harvest index and seed yield were significantly affected from sowing dates and seed treatments. On the other hand, protein content was highly affected from late sowing and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments. It was concluded that early sowing along with 100 ppm GA3 and dH2O treatments could be practiced to obtain higher seed yield in chickpea.