Evaluation of Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) growth performance and yield in different soil types in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Chickpea performance under different soil types is still hazy in Zimbabwe. A 3-year study to evaluate growth performance and yield of chickpea under different soils types was done at Department of Research and Specialist Services. Two chickpea cultivars (Kabuli and Desi) and 3 different soil types (Domboshava, Harare, Mazoe soils) were tested in a 2 × 3 factorial pot-experiment laid in completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates. Percentage germination, days to initial flowering and 50% flowering were recorded. Crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR), total dry matter production (TDMP), grain yield and harvest index (HI) were measured. Data was analyzedfor variance using JMP version 11.0 and means were separated by HSD0.05. Desi had significantly (P<0.05) lower percentage germination and longer days to flowering than Kabuli in all soils. Kabuli under Mazoe soil had shortest (36) average days to initial flowering and both cultivars took longer (> 60) days to flower under Domboshavasoil than other soils. Kabuli had highest CGR, LAR and TDMP at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after planting in Mazoe soil compared to other soils. Kabuli had highest (1.2 t ha-1) grain yield under Harare soil but with significantly (P<0.05) the same HI to Mazoe soil. Generally, the chickpea cultivars performed better on Mazoe and Harare soils than Domboshava. Farmers can grow chickpeas in pH >4.9 clay soils and avoid sand soils pH ≤4.9 soils. Nevertheless, further researches to evaluate the chickpea growth performance in more than 3 soil types are required.