Yield and Growth Patterns of Chickpea Genotypes Differing in Zinc-accumulating Capacity

Abstract

This study compares the yield and growth patterns of a high zinc-accumulating genotype (HZnG) and a low zincaccumulating genotype (LZnG) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown for 120 days in earthen pots filled with soil at four zinc regimes (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg ZnSO4 kg -1 ) under naturally illuminated field conditions. Growth parameters were monitored at pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering stages of the crop. Plants grown in Zn-deficient soil showed suppressed growth, as compared with those grown in soil with Zn (2.5, 5 or 10 mg kg -1 soil) supplied as zinc sulphate. Increase in Zn supply enhanced the growth parameters significantly; however, highest dose was inhibitive in both the genotypes. All growth parameters evinced improvement from pre-flowering stage to post-flowering stage, except for leaf area index, which declined at the post-flowering stage. There were significant genotypic differences for yield parameters; HZnG performed better than LZnG at deficient levels of zinc supply. The 5 mg Zn kg -1 supply was most effective in causing significant differences for the parameters studied. Cultivation of hyperaccumulating chickpea genotypes seems to be a sustainable and cost-effective approach to combat the increasing menace of Zn-deficiency in chickpea production.

Characterization of Vertisols Fertility Status and Their Implications on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Farming in Semi-Arid Areas of Itigi District in Tanzania

“…Globally, the leading producers of chickpea include India, Burma, Yemen Spain, United States Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Argentina, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Turkey and Canada among others which account for more than half of the global chickpea production in the recent years [7]. Currently, the global average production of chickpea is 0.9 t/ha which is 5.1 t/ha far back from the minimal potential estimation production when the crop is farmed in favorable conditions whereby losses in chickpea yields in various agricultural regions is due to limited availability of field soil mineral nutrients [8]; [9]. Despite vertisols being regarded as productive when positively managed, some of their characteristics have critically resulted in low yields essentially on low input agriculture [10].…”

“…As a key factor in crop productivity, soil status directly affects crop yields when other factors are in optimum condition [14]. Soil and plant nutrients deter-mine the quality and quantity of yields [8]. In order to ensure that the agriculture sector becomes sustainable, the management of soil resources becomes indisputable for satisfactory agricultural production and meeting human needs [6].…”