Performance Evaluation of Desi and Kabuli Type Chickpea Varieties at Hulbareg District Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the third most important pulse crop and one of the major highland pulse crop widely grown in Ethiopia. They are two types of chickpea, called desi and kabuli. This study was conducted on Hulbareg district of Southern Ethiopia at 2020 cropping season. The field experiment was arranged a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate and select desi and kabuli type chickpea varieties for yield and adaptation. Analysis of variance for quantitative traits from desi type of chickpea varieties that revealed significant differences at (P ≤ 0.05) were from date of flowering, date of maturity, biological yield and grain yield; and highly significant differences at (P ≤ 0.01) were exhibited form plant height, number of pods plant^-1, number of seed pod^-1, number of seeds plant^-1 and hundred seed weight. Analysis of variance for quantitative traits analyzed for five kabuli type chickpea varieties that exhibited significant differences at (P ≤ 0.05) were form number of pods plant^-1, number of seed pod^-1, number of seeds plant^-1 and biological yield; and highly significant differences at (P ≤ 0.01) were observed form plant height, date of maturity, hundred seed weight and grain yield. From desi type chickpea varieties tested the highest mean grain yield was recorded by Minjar (3.31 t/ha) followed by Natoli (3.24 t/ha) and Dahota (3.23 t/ha). Varieties that give high yield advantage over local check were Minjar (45.3%), Natoli (44.1%) and Dahota (43.9%). These varieties could be used for production of chickpea at Hulbareg district and similar agro-ecologies as a variety choice from desi type chickpea. Dahota and Natoli varieties are large seeded so these are recommended for commercial farming. From Kabuli type Ejere was the highest in grain yield and 43.7% yield advantage from local check. Ejere variety could be used for production of chickpea at Hulbareg district and similar agro-ecologies as a variety choice from kabuli type chick pea varieties.