Effect of Superabsorbent Combination and Vermicompost on Yield and Yield Components of Chickpea under Dry Land Farming Conditions

In order to study the effects of superabsorbent polymer and vermicompost on yield and yield components of chickpea, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized block design with three replications on 2014-2015 cropping year in Alashtar town, Lorestan, Iran. First factor was superabsorbent polymer at four levels (including control, 100, 200 and 300 kg/ha) and second factor was vermicompost at three levels (including control, 7.5 and 15 ton/ha). According to results, mean comparison showed that highest grain yield (943.6 kg/ha) was associated to third level of superabsorbent (200 kg/ha) and non-application of vermicompost indicating increase compared to control. Based on results, highest grain yield (831.4 kg/ha) was related to third level of superabsorbent representing 20.4 percent increase compared to control. Also, highest grain yield (798.4 kg/ha) observed in 15 ton/ha vermicompost representing 12.3 percent increase compared to control. Application of vermicompost and superabsorbent in wheat at dry farming conditions, caused prominent improvement in growth and growth indices. This positive impact could be attributed to stimulating activity of soil beneficial microbes through vermicompost and its ability to improving macro- and micro-nutrients uptake as well as ability to absorbing and holding water.