Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Agriculture, Mahabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahabad, Iran
2 Department of Agronomy and Agroecology, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran.
3 West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Urmia, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Despite of introducing of suitable chickpea cultivars for autumn planting in cold drylands of the country, still planting of chickpeas is dominantly done during the spring. There is a short window for crop growth in dry and semi dry lands which cover majority of the country. Climate change has made this shorter and probability of marginal drought stress has been increased dramatically. In the other hand, presence of weeds during different plant growth stage increase competition for soil humidity and causes a decrease in yield. Short growth period and lack of appropriate management could lead to uneconomic chickpea production. Therefore, different planting dates and weed control were investigated in order to achieve the highest yield of chickpea Jam cultivar.
Methodology: This research was conducted as a complete randomized blocks design with four replications under Naghadeh dryland conditions. Planting dates included three levels (autumn, dormant and spring seeding) which were assumed as fixed factor and weed control included two levels (mechanical control of weeds and no-control) were implemented. Experimental plots included 6 rows 3 meters length spacing 25 cm from each other. The planting time was October 6 (autumn), December 19 (dormant seeding) and March 24 (spring seeding). 20 (kg/ha) nitrogen from urea and 40 (kg/ha) phosphorous from superphosphate sources were applied as starter in the autumn based on soil analysis results. Some agronomic characteristics were noted along growth and harvesting times and combined statistical analysis were completed using SPSS software.
Research findings: The highest grain yield and water productivity index were related to the mutual effects of dormant planting date in weed control, with an average yield of 1334 kg/ha and 3.64, respectively. Also, the highest yield energy of chickpea seeds was related to the mutual effects of dormant planting date treatments in weed control with an average of 2721 kcal/ha. The results showed that dormant planting of Jam cultivar has relative superiority over spring and autumn plantings regarding the measured indicators.
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