Response of Three Chickpea Cultivars to Different Sowing Dates Under Rainfed Conditions in Hamedan Region

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield under rainfed conditions is strongly related to the selecting best sowing date which can be improved by winter sowing. Here, the effect of different sowing date on yield and yield components of three chickpea cultivars under rainfed conditions was evaluated at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, and Bu-Ali Sina University. Hence, a field experiment was laid out as a split plot based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in 2009-2010 growing season. Planting dates (Dec. 22; D1, Feb. 10; D2, Mar. 20; D3, and April 4; D4) and cultivars (C1; Hashem, C2; Arman, and C3; Azad) were used in main and subplots, respectively. Results showed that planting dates significantly affected the number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, grain and biological yields and 1000-seed weight. The highest (219.6 g/m2) and the lowest (60.3 g/m2) amount of grain yield was achieved at D1 and D4 treatments, respectively. Maximum number of pod/plant (16.9), seed per plant (17.9) and biological yield (712.9 g/m2) were observed at D1 treatment which was significantly higher than other planting dates. In comparison with first planting date (D1) D4 treatment decreased the grain and biological yields by 68% and 73%, respectively. As results show, cultivars had significant effects on grain and biological yields. Based on means comparison, the highest grain yield (161.9 g/m2) was recorded at Arman cultivar (C2). But, there was not significant between C2 and C1 cultivars. Also, the highest biological yield (542 g/m2) belonged to the C1 (cv. Hashem). However, D×C interaction was significant for all traits (except number of seed per pod and 1000-seed weight). Means comparison indicated that the maximum values of all traits belonged to D1C1 treatment; i.e. the highest amount of grain (262.3 g/m2) and biological yield (855.5 g/m2) were observed at D1C1 treatment. Considering these, the D1C1 treatment could be recommended for chickpea growth under rainfed conditions in order to maximize yield.