Determining Cultivation‏ ‏‎(Agronomic) Value of Imported Chickpea Cultivars Compared to Iranian Cultivars‎

Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) test is performed by Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute (SPCRI) or its legal representative according to articles 17-24 of second part of the executive regulations of the law on Registration of Plant Varieties. In this regard, in order to value for cultivation and use test of two imported chickpea cultivars (Araz and Goksu), an experiment is conducted based on complete randomized block design in three replications and four locations (Oshnavieh, Moghan, Saral and Kamyaran) during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Results show that the amount of chickpea seed yield in Oshnavieh location (temperate cold rejoin) is significantly higher than other studied locations (3365.5 kg.ha-1). Due to the significant interaction of cultivar × location on seed yield, different cultivars have had the highest yield in different locations. The highest 100 seed weight has belonged to Araz (39.11 gr), Goksu (37.04 gr), and Saeed (36.22 gr) cultivars. Goksu has had the highest height of first pod (21.59 cm), followed by Hashem (20.13 cm), Araz (19.43 cm), Saeed (19.02 cm) and Mansour (18.08 cm). Goksu, Mansour and Saeed cultivars has had longest physiological maturity period. The physiological maturity period in Araz and Areman cultivars is significantly shorter than other studied cultivars. Araz and Goksu cultivars are considered two suitable chickpea germplasm for cultivation in Iran due to their appropriate yield, higher 100 seed weight and higher first pod height.