The effect of supplementary irrigation and methods of nitrogen application on grain yield and its components in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In order to study the responses of grain yield of chickpea to drought stress and application methods of nitrogen fertilizer, an experiment carried out as split-plot at Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, during 2009-10 and 2010-11. The supplementary irrigation at three levels (1. without irrigation, 2. one irrigation at flowering, 3. two irrigations at flowering and podding stages) as main-plot and the combination of different amounts and application methods of nitrogen fertilizer were as sub-plots. The results showed that grain yield was increased significantly due to increasing of the number of grains per plant and 100-grain weight in response to supplementary irrigation treatments. There was no significant difference in grain yield between one and two supplementary irrigation treatments with 1646 and 1728 kg/ha, respectively. Methods of nitrogen application had significant effects on grain yield and some yield components, but had not effect of 100-grain weight. Foliar spraying accompanied by soil application of N increased significantly grain yield. Finally, to get high grain yield in chickpea we recommend supplementary irrigation at flowering stage and also usage of both nitrogen application methods (soil application + foliar spraying).