Abstract: In order to study the effect of different irrigations levels on chickpea, an experiment was conducted at Malakandher Research Farms, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar during 2000.Statistical analysis of the data showed that irrigations levels had a significant effect on emergence unit area -1, days to flowering, days to maturity, pods plant -1, grain yield and biological yield. Maximum emergence unit area -1, pods plant -1, plant height, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index in most of the cases were recorded in those plots, which were given two irrigations, when compared with other treatments. In case of varieties, maximum emergence unit area -1, pods plant -1, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index were recorded in NIFA-95 while CM-72 gave minimum emergence unit area -1, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. The highest biological yield was obtained from plots treated three times, while the lowest biological yield was obtained from control plots. Maximum grain yield was produced by plots irrigated two times, while minimum grain yield was produced by control plots. Maximum harvest index was obtained from control plots and seeded with CM-72, while minimum harvest index was recorded in plots sown with CM-72 and applied three irrigations.
Introduction
Water is the major constituent of all living organisms. Between 60 & 90% of the mass living thing is water. The transportation of nutrients to various parts of the plant is carried out by water. Water is an excellent solvent and has great capability to dissolve a wide variety of substances. It is an essential constituent of protoplasm; about 70% of most tissues consist of water. Water is important constituent in photosynthesis in two ways, firstly it provides hydrogen for building up of glucose, and secondly opening and closing of stomata is regulated by increase or decrease in the amount of water. Water together with salt (e.g., nitrates), absorbed by the roots ultimately reaches leaves, where it is used in photosynthesis. Moisture conservation and regulation to adequately meet the crop needs at the critical stages of crop growth and development are crucial for realization of full yield potential of chickpea.
Supplemental irrigation, particularly at the pod filling stage, to improve plant water status, gives economic increase in yields in areas of super optimal temperature during the reproductive growth. Sexana (1980) reported that supplemental irrigations to release the crop from soil moisture stress at critical stages of crop growth has been found to result in substantial yields increase in chickpea. The late flowering and pod setting stages appear to be the most sensitive stages to soil moisture stress (Palled and Ponnia, 1985). Rehman et al. (1983) concluded that yields were depressed when the irrigations treatments were given at flowering, with or without pre flowering irrigation. Maximum grain yield, dry matter, pods plant-1, seeds pod-1 and 1000 grain weight were obtained for two irrigations (Zaman and Malik, 1988). Pawar et al. (1992) reported that seed yield was highest with irrigations at all 3 growth stages and lowest with no irrigations, seed protein content was highest with 3 irrigations and lowest with no irrigations. Mean grain yield, straw yield, pods plant-1 and grains plant-1 were highest with 2 irrigations.
Materials and Methods
In order to study the effect of irrigation levels on the yield and yield components of chickpea, an experiment was conducted at Malakandher Research Farms, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, during 2000. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with split plot arrangements having four replications. The following factors and their level were studied in the experiment.
Irrigation levels (Main plot factor)
| L1 | = | Control |
| L2 | = | Single irrigation at 40 days after sowing |
| L3 | = | 2 irrigation at 40 days and 80 days after sowing. |
| L4 | = | 3 irrigation at 40 days, 80 and 120 days after sowing. |
Varieties (Sub plot factor)
| V1 | = | NIFA-88V2 = NIFA-95 |
| V3 | = | CM-72V4 = E-231. |
A basal dose of 150-50-0 NPK Kg ha-1 was applied in form of D.A.P and urea. Sowing was done in the moist soil by dropping the seed in the furrows drawn by a hand hoe and covering immediately. Four irrigation levels were used in the experiment (L1 = Control, L2 = Single irrigation at 40 days after sowing, L3 = 2 irrigation at 40 days and 80 days after sowing, L4 = 3 irrigation at 40 days, 80 and 120 days after sowing). Standard agronomic practices were followed throughout the growing season.
The following data were recorded during the experiment: emergence unit area-1, days to flowering, days to maturity, pods unit area-1, plant height, hundred seed weight (g), grain weight (Kg ha-1), biological yield (Kg ha-1), harvest index (%).
Data on emergence unit area-1 was calculated from date of sowing till when more than 80% plants had emerged in each sub plot. Days to flowering data was recorded from date of sowing till when more than 80% plants produced flowers. Data on days to maturity was noted from date of sowing till when more than 90% plants reached physiological maturity. Number of pods plant-1 was recorded by harvesting three plants from each sub plot and then counted the number of pods plant-1 and their mean was then calculated. Plant height data was recorded on ten plants randomly selected in each sub plot with the help of meter rod. Thousand grains weight data was recorded by weighing one thousand grains from each subplot with an electronic balance and then their mean was calculated. The data recorded for grain yield, biological yield and harvest index was calculated:
The data collected during the experiment was analyzed according to RCB design and upon obtaining significant differences Least Significant Differences (LSD) test was applied Steel and Torrie (1980).
Results and Discussion
Statistical analysis of the data (Table 1) indicated that different varieties had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on emergence unit area-1. While irrigation levels and interaction between varieties and irrigation were non significant. Mean values of the data revealed that highest emergence unit area-1 of 43.50 seedlings were noted in plots sown with NIFA-95 followed by NIFA-88. Whereas minimum of 36.25 seedlings unit area-1 were observed in plots sown with CM-72. Statical analysis of the data (Table 2) indicated that different varieties had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on days to flowering.
Statistical analysis of the data (Table 3) revealed that various irrigation levels and varieties of chickpea had a significant (P≤ 0.05) effects on days to maturity, while their interaction was non significant. Plots treated with three irrigations took maximum (171.25) days to maturity. While minimum (146.25) days to maturity were taken by control plots. Mean values for varieties indicated that plots sown with CM-72 took maximum of 167.50 days to maturity, while plots grown with NIFA-95 recorded minimum (153.75) days to maturity, which was at par with plots, seeded with NIFA-88. Similarly, mean values for IxV interaction revealed that maximum (180) days to maturity were taken by those plots which received three irrigations and sown with CM-72. Control plots sown with NIFA-95 recorded minimum days to maturity which was at par with plots sown with NIFA-88 (Table 3). The probable reason could be that irrigation has enhanced vegetative growth which had prolonged the growing season. Similar results were also reported by Dixit et al. (1992), who concluded that irrigation prolonged the growing season by 16-25 days. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that different irrigations levels and varieties had a significant ( P ≤ 0.05) effect on plant height while their interaction was non significant.
Analysis of the data (Table 4) indicated that different irrigation levels and varieties had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected pods unit area-1, while their interaction was non significant. Data pertaining to pods unit area-1 showed that maximum (1954.38) pods unit area-1 was recorded in those plots which were, treated three irrigations. Whereas minimum of 1656.69 pods unit area-1 were obtained in control plots. Mean values of the data also revealed that maximum pods unit area-1 of 2087.75 were produced in plots sown with NIFA-95 while minimum pods unit area-1 by CM-72 (1587.81). Similarly, mean values for IxV interaction though non-significant revealed that maximum (2216.75) pods unit area-1 was produced by those plots, which received two irrigations, and sown with NIFA-88. Mean values (Table 4) also indicated that control plots sown with E-231 recorded minimum pods unit area-1. The possible reason for this increase in pods unit area-1 may be that the provision of sufficient may have enhanced the production of photosynthesis, which resulted in highest number of pods unit area-1. The results agree with the findings of Naik et al. (1993), Hernandez and Barrales (1992).
There was a gradual increase in plant height corresponding to irrigation levels (Table 5). Taller plant height (66.89 cm) were attained in those plots, which were treated with three irrigations whereas shorter plants (61.23 cm) were recorded in control plots. Mean values of the data concerning varieties indicate that plant height was maximum (71.37 cm) in plots sown with CM-72, while plots sown with E-231 recorded minimum plant height of 56.19 cm. Similarly, mean value for IxV interaction showed that maximum plant height of 73.39 cm was recorded where two irrigations was applied and sown with CM-72. Maximum plant height was recorded in control plots seeded with E-231 (Table 5). Dixit et al. (1993) who showed that plant height increased with increasing irrigation frequency.
Analysis of the data (Table 6) revealed that different varieties had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on hundred-grain weight. While different irrigation levels and interaction between irrigation levels and varieties was non significant. Heavier grains (24.17g) were produced in plots seeded with E-231, while lighter grains (17.15g) were obtained from plots planted with CM-72.
| Table 1: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on emergence unit area-1 of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=2.032 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 2: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on days to flowering of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=1.156 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=0.1064 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 3: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on days to maturity of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=0.8164 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=0.7319 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 4: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on pods unit area-1 of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=135.0 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=108.80 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 5: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on plant height of chickpea. |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=2.271 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=2.501 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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Mean value of the data regarding different levels of irrigation showed that maximum hundred grain weight of (21.17 g) was noted in those plots which received two irrigations followed by plots irrigated three times, while minimum hundred grain weight was recorded when one irrigation was applied. Similarly, mean values for IxV interaction though non-significant revealed that maximum hundred-grain weight (25.69 g) was produced by those plots which received three irrigations and sown with E-231.
| Table 6: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on hundred grain weight of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=2.912 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 7: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on grain yield (Kg ha-1) of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=189.167 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=147.78 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 8: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on biological yield of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for irrigation=381.52 LSD values at 5%level of probability for varieties=414.16 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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| Table 9: | Effect of various irrigation levels and different varieties on harvest index of chickpea |
| LSD values at 5%level of probability for Interaction=5.482 Mean in the columns followed by different letters are significantly different at P ≤ 0.05 |
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Data (Table 6) also indicated that control plots sown with CM-72 recorded minimum hundred grain weight. These results are contrary to those reported by Jadhav et al. (1992), who revealed that greatest positive effect on grain yield plant-1 was given by 1000 grain weight followed by dry matter production plant-1, harvest index and number of branches plant-1.
Statistical analysis of the data revealed that different irrigations levels and varieties had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on grain yield, while interaction among levels and different varieties was non significant (Table 7). Mean value of the data indicated that maximum grain yield of 2726.40 Kg ha-1 was recorded in those plots, which were treated with two irrigations followed by plots which received three irrigations. These results are in line with those of Pawer et al. (1992), who concluded that yield of all crops except lentils were significantly increased by irrigation and two irrigations generally gave higher yields than one irrigation. Similarly, minimum grain yield of 2253.60 Kg ha-1 was produced by plots sown with NIFA-95. Whereas minimum grain yield of 2329.20 Kg ha-1 was observed in those plots which were seeded with CM-72. It can be inferred from the data that maximum grain yield 2951.38 Kg ha-1 was produced in those plots which received two irrigations and seeded with NIFA-95. Minimum grain weight was recorded by control plots sown with E-231.
Analysis of the data (Table 8) showed that biological yield was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by different irrigations levels and varieties, while their interaction was non significant. Data (Table 8) showed that biological yield was increased with increase in irrigation levels. Maximum biological yield of 7204.90 Kg ha-1 was observed in those plots, which were treated with two irrigations whereas minimum biological yield (5347.20 Kg ha-1) was recorded in control plots. Data concerning varieties indicate that biological yield was maximum (6701.41 Kg ha-1) from plots sown with NIFA-95, while plots sown with CM-72 recorded minimum biological yield. Similarly, mean value for IxV interaction showed that maximum biological yield (7291.71 Kg ha-1) was recorded where three irrigations was applied and sown with NIFA-95 and E-231. Mean (Table 8) also indicated that minimum biological yield was recorded in control plots seeded with CM-72. From these results it is clear that biological yield increased with increase in irrigation frequency.
Statistical analysis of the data (Table 9) revealed that different irrigations levels and varieties had a non significant effect on harvest index. While different irrigation levels and interaction between irrigation levels and varieties was significant. Maximum harvest index of 26.38% was observed in plots which were treated two times followed by plots, which received three irrigations, while minimum harvest index (25.44%) was recorded from control which was at par with plots treated with one irrigation (Table 9). Among varieties highest harvest index of 26.90% was produced by plots seeded with NIFA-95. Lowest harvest index of 23.87% was recorded in plots sown with CM-72. However interaction were significant. It is clear from the mean values obtained from plots treated with three irrigations and seeded with CM-72, while minimum harvest index of 17.50% was recorded from plots sown with CM-72 and applied three irrigations.