Evaluation of Yield and Its Components of Two Promising Rain fed Chickpea Genotypes under Autumn and Hidden Sowing at Farmer Fields

Spring sowing and landraces cultivation are the most important and effective factors in low chickpea yield. In order to comparing of yield and its components of two chickpea genotypes (ILC 482 and Saral) at two sowing dates (autumn and hidden planting), this study was carried out under farmer fields at East Azerbaijan (Aghja kohool region) during 2012-2014 cropping seasons. Experimental design was split plots based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications. Sowing dates (autumn and hidden planting) were in the main plots and chickpea genotypes were in the sub plots. Agronomic traits including plant height, 100 seed weight, dry biomass, the height of first pod from soil surface, number of pods and seeds per plant, number of secondary branches per plant and grain yield, were recorded and analyzed. Results of combined analysis (two years) showed that, planting date had significantly effects on plant height. Comparing with hidden planting, plant height was 12% increased in autumn planting date. Although there was no significantly differences between planting dates in case of grain yield, but autumn planting had 24% more grain yield comparing to the hidden planting date. Genotype and genotype×planting date effects on grain yield had not significantly effects, indicated that there were similar potential of two genotypes for autumn and hidden planting in the region.