Effect of water deficit irrigation and natural products on vegetative characteristics of different chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties

In order to investigate the effect of water deficit irrigation and natural products on vegetative characteristics of three varieties of chickpea، a field experiment was performed as split-split plot experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2011 growing season in Shahrood (Miami). The main plot was drought stress in four levels including normal irrigation (control)، water cessation at flowering، podding and flowering to physiological maturity stages. The sub plot was spraying with natural products in three levels including spraying with distilled water (control)، spraying with humic acid and spraying with seaweed extract and sub-sub plot was three chickpea varieties Hashem، ILC482 and Local (Miami). The results showed that the effect of drought stress on number of the main and lateral branches was significant. Also the effect of variety was significant on number of the main and lateral branches، plant height and width. Drought stress especially from flowering to harvest stages decreased growth of all varieties by reducing branches and canopy diameter. However، natural product spraying especially with seaweed extract reduced detrimental effect of drought stress on plant growth. The variety Local had more natural products use efficiency although variety Hashem was superior in all parameters.