Response of chickpea accession to row spacing and plant density on a vertisol on the Darling Downs, south-eastern Queensland. 1. Dry matter production and seed yield

Abstract

Six accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), representing both desi and kabuli types, were grown at a range of row spacings (180-710 mm) in 3 experiments on a vertisol at Dalby, south-eastern Queensland to assess their adaptation and yield potential. Row spacing and sowing density (28-1 12 seeds m-2) were confounded in 2 experiments where intra-row density was constant, but were varied independently in the third. Differences in yield between accessions were either small or not significant in 1979, with above-average water availability (mean seed yield: 253 g m-2), and in 1980, when water was severely limited (mean seed yield: 79 and 120 g m-2 in the 2 experiments). However, the proportion of seed that was machine-harvestable was highest in the commercial cv. Tyson (71%), and also at the closest row spacing (83%). Seed nitrogen concentration was about 0.5% higher in cv. Tyson than in other accessions. It declined with an increase in row spacing and was associated with a higher proportion of small seeds. We conclude that there will be scope for alternatives to cv. Tyson as new market opportunities develop. Furthermore, the flexibility in its growth pattern makes chickpea well suited to the variable moisture regime of the wheatlands of subtropical eastern Australia.