Effects of Foliar Application of Nitrogen, Zinc and Manganese on Yield, Yield Components and Grain Quality of Chickpea in Two Growing Seasons

To study the effects of foliar application of zinc، manganese and nitrogen on yield، yield components and grain quality of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.); two experiments، one in autumn and the other in spring were conducted at Research Farm، Shahrekord University in 2009-2010 growing season each as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were foliar application of zinc sulfate، manganese sulfate; zinc sulfate and manganese sulfate mixture، nitrogen and distilled water (as control). The results showed that planting season had a significant effect on plant height، 100-seed weight and seed yield. All measured traits، except plant height، increased in winter compared to spring growing season. This increase was more than 12% for grain yield. Foliar application of nutrients significantly affected seed yield and seed yield components. Foliar application of nitrogen، presumably، through significant increase in number of pods per plant، number of seeds per plant and 100-seed weight، increased the grain yield by 6. 2% compared to control. Foliar application × planting season interactions were significant for plant height and number of pods per plant. Foliar application of nitrogen caused a significant increase in grain yield and protein content. Foliar application of zinc sulphate significantly increased Zn content of grains; however it did not affect seed yield. In conclusion، foliar application of nitrogen could be suggested for increasing protein and grain yield in chickpea under similar conditions to that of the present study.