An analysis of dry matter production, growth and yield in Kabuli chickpea genotypes

A field experiment was conducted in Dharwad, Karnataka, India, during the rabi seasons to the study dry matter production, growth and yield of kabuli chickpea genotypes as affected by plant density (2.22,3.33 and 4.44 lakh/ha) and phosphorus level (50, 75 or 100 kg P2O5/ha). ICCV-2 recorded greater canopy width (44.6 cm), 100-seed weight (25.71 g), dry matter production (10.28 g) and total dry matter production in pods during harvesting (71.0%) compared to BG-267, which registered the highest seed yield (1841 kg/ha). Greater dry matter production was obtained with plant densities of 2.22 (10.16 g per plant) and 3.33 lakhs/ha (10.10 g per plant). A plant density of 4.44 lakh/ha resulted in a higher seed yield (1761 kg/ha) than a density of 2.22 lakhs/ha (1359 kg/ha), which was mainly due to the higher canopy width (44.9 cm) and 100-seed weight (23.76 g). The phosphorus level had no significant effect on growth, yield components, seed and bhusa yield, but had marked effect on the number of branches per plant. The treatments had no significant effect on harvest index. [1.0 lakh=100 000].