Simulating the effect of planting geometry of different chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars using crop growth model under climatic conditions of Faisalabad

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2009-10 to simulate the effect of variable sowing methods on the growth, development and yield behavior of different chickpea cultivars using crop growth model. The crop was sown on 1st Nov., 2009 with 5 cultivars (Punjab-2000, Paidar-91, Punjab-2008, Noor-91, Bittal-98) in the subplots and 3 sowing methods (Broadcasting, Line sowing and ridge sowing) in the main plots. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement was used having 3 replications. The net plot size was 2m x 5m. Standard procedures-were adopted for recording data on various growth and yield parameters. A chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) crop growth and development model LEGUME CROPGRO-CHICKPEA (DSSAT) has been developed from LEGUME CROPGRO model, using the experimental data of the year 2009 and 2010 seasons. The model was calibrated for chickpea cultivars and different sowing methods under ecological conditions of Faisalabad. Calibration of LEGUME CROP model (DSSAT) showed the best possible fit between predicted and observed anthesis, physiological maturity dates, leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter (TDM), plant height unit weight and grain yield. Comparing the average observed and simulated values of anthesis days (82 vs 86) and maturity days (55 vs 57) for Bittal-98 were predicted accurately by the model having root mean square error (5.97 and 0.03). Leaf area index, total dry matter production (TDM) and its partitioning to various plant organs were also predicted satisfactorily by the model. Predicted TDM and grain yield of Bittal-98 at harvest were significantly correlated with the observed data (RMSE=0.05) All sowing methods showed significant effect on the yield and yield components. Performance of cultivars of chickpea showed that Bittal-98 produced significantly more pods m-2 (1271), grains m-2 (2288), grains per plant (137) and greater grain yield (6763 kg per ha).