Optimal Sowing Times and Irrigation Schedule of the Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) in Semi-Arid Regions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different sowing times and irrigation schedules on seed yield and water use of chickpea in Central Anatolia's semi-arid conditions. For two years, field trials were conducted using a split-block trial design with three replications. The study addressed two sowing times as well as five irrigation treatments. While the effect of sowing time on grain yield varied by year, the effect of irrigation on grain yield was statistically significant for both sowing times. Also, at both sowing times, the three irrigation treatments had the highest grain yield. The efficiency of the water use was higher in late sowing than in early sowing. While plant water consumption increased during the early sowing period, the amount of irrigation water decreased. The seasonal yield response factor in early sowing, on the other hand, was lower than in late sowing.