Effect of glycine betaine, boron and zinc on yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea under rainfed conditions

In order to investigate the effect of glycine betaine and zinc and boron elements on yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea seeds under dryland conditions, a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design was conducted during growing season 2019 with three replications in Mahabad, Iran. Experimental treatments include: soil application of zinc sulfate at two levels (non-use of zinc and use 40 kg per hectare of zinc), boric acid spraying at three levels (Non-consumption, consumption of 3 kg per 1000 liters of water in two stages before and after flowering) and foliar application of glycine betaine were at three levels (Non-consumption, consumption of 1.88 g per liter in two stages before and after flowering). The results showed that boron and glycine betaine in the pre-and post-flowering stage had an increasing effect on seed weight in a pod, 100-seed weight, soluble sugar, grain nitrogen and grain protein. The highest grain yield with 1489 kg/ha was related to the non-consumption of zinc and simultaneous application of glycine betaine and boron in the post-flowering stage. The highest zinc uptake with 54.17% was related to glycine betaine consumption after flowering and no consumption of zinc and boron. In this study, the effect of boron on increasing soluble sugar to modulate dry rainfed conditions was more effective than glycine betaine. Based on the general results, with the optimal use of boron and in combination with glycine betaine, the effect of dehydration in the reproductive stage in rainfed areas can be moderated.