Studies on growth and yield characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting

The growth and yield characters of chickpea varieties suitable for mechanical harvesting were evaluated through field experiment conducted for three consecutive years (2016__17 to 2018__19) during rabi season on vertisols under rainfed conditions at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. The investigation was carried out in split plot design with three replications. Two plant geometries (30.0 × 10.0 cm and 22.5 × 10.0 cm) were assigned to main plots and six chickpea varieties (viz., GBM 2, Dheera, CSJ 515, HC 5, Phule G 08108 and BRC 1) were assigned to sub plots. Pooled analysis of experimental results indicated that significantly higher number of branches per plant (8.7) and number of pods per plant (31.1) and test weight (24.3 g) were observed under 30.0 × 10.0 cm when compared to 22.5 × 10.0 cm. Higher plant height (44.8 cm), height of lowest pod bearing branch (30.0 cm), lower days to 50 % flowering (42.1 days) and higher test weight (31.2 g) were observed in Dheera. Higher number of branches per plant (9.2) and number of pods per plant (34.2) were observed in GBM 2. Higher seed yield was observed in Phule G 08108 (1708 kg ha-1) which is followed by GBM 2 (1675 kg ha-1) Dheera (1569 kg ha-1) and BRC 1 (1493 kg ha-1). Higher harvest index (56.4%) was also observed in Phule G 08108. Chickpea varieties GBM2, Dheera and BRC1 were best suitable for mechanical harvesting and higher seed yield due to their excellent morphology.