Agrotechnology

Evaluation of Desi Type Chickpea Varieties for Adapting under Irrigation at Kobo, Ethiopia

Awol Mohammed^*, Sisay Bisetegn, Abebe Misganaw, Abay Desale and Tadesse Alemnew Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia
^*Correspondence: Awol Mohammed, Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 74, Woldia, Ethiopia, Tel: +251943257374, Email:

Received: 26-Sep-2020 Published: 23-Nov-2020, DOI: 10.35248/2168-9881.20.9.200

Introduction

Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) is one of the most important coolseason annual and self-pollinated leguminous plantwhich grown in more than 60 countries. India is the largest chickpea producing country accounting for 72% of the global chickpea production. The other major chickpea producing countries include Pakistan 5%, Iran 2%, Australia 6%, Turkey 4%, Myanmar 4%, Ethiopia 3.5%, Tanzania 1%, Mexico 2% and Malawi 0.5% . In Africa, chickpea is widely grown in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Uganda. Ethiopia is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of chickpea in Africa and shares some 4.5% of global chickpea market and more than 60% of Africa’s global chickpea market [1,2].

There are two types of chickpea depending on seed color, shape, and size. The kabuli type has large, round or ram head and creamcolored seeds, and is grown in temperate regions. The desi type chickpea has a thick and colored seed coat. The common seed colors include various shades and combinations of brown, yellow, green and black. The seeds are generally small and angular with a rough surface. The flowers are generally pink and mostly grown in the semi-arid tropics. In Ethiopia, the desi type of chickpea covered 75% of the whole area coverage [3-5].

Chickpea is very important due to its good nutritional value having an average of 22 % protein, 63 % carbohydrate, 4.5 % fat, 8 % crude fiber, and 2.7 % ash. Besides being an important source of human food and animal feed, it is also an important contributor to soil fertility as it provides nitrogen to soil through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen [6,7].

In Ethiopia, chickpea produced by rain fed and irrigation production system. Ethiopia is one of the few African countries endowed with relatively abundant water resources, favorable climate and potentially huge irrigable land. The country has potential suitable land and water resources for irrigation-based chickpea production surpasses many thousand hectares. Most of irrigation potential areas in the country, farmers produce triple crops per season. Based on this, Kobo is one of the potential areas which havea high irrigation potential for crop production including chickpea [8,9].

According to Kobo Girana Valley Programe, in Kobo district there is more than 2100 ha of land cultivated by farmers under irrigation. They produce triple crops per season, tef or maize – chickpea –onion. Not only regionally but also nationally, there is no a released chickpea variety for irrigation production system. Due to this, farmers produce local chickpea variety which is low yielder (0.7–1 t/ha) and very susceptible to biotic and abiotic factors. To increase production and productivity of chickpea in this area under irrigation there is a need to recommend improved chickpea variety. Therefore; the objective of this experiment was to evaluate and recommend best adaptable, high yielding and early maturing of desi type chickpea varieties with the involvement of farmers based on their preferences for producing areas under irrigation production system in the district.

Methodology

Description of experimental site

The experiments were executed under irrigation production system at Kobo district in North Wollo Zone, which is located at 11008’21”, 39 18’21” and 1450 masl latitude, longitude and altitude; respectively. The annual rainfall of the site is 637 mm with 15.80C minimum and 29.1°C maximum temperature. Agricultural Research Center soil classification (unpublished), it is classified as Eutricfluvisol.

Experimental materials and methods

About 10 desi type improved chickpea varieties, including the local variety as check, were evaluated for their adaptation and yield potential under irrigation during 2018 and 2019 at Kobo district. These varieties were improved and released by Sirinka and DebreZeyt Agricultural Research Centers under rain fed condition. The experiment was done by Mother and Baby Trial form. The Mother trial was done by Random Complete Block Design with three replications. Each variety was sown in six rows at 40 cm, 10 cm and 1 m spacing between, rows, plants and plots, respectively; with 4m row length. The Baby trial, a single replication of Mother Trial, was done on three different farmers’ field to participate farmers to select best varieties based on their preferences. Totally 27 farmers who produce chickpea under irrigation participated variety selection process. All agronomic practices were done uniformly for all varieties as required without fertilizer application. For controlling pod borer, the insecticide Karate at the rate of 200ml/300 lit of water per hectare was applied at branching stage (two times within 15 days interval). Egypt irrigates the crop 1-2 times during the early stage of crop emergence and during flowering and maturity, while in Sudan chickpea is irrigated 5-7 times. The irrigation frequency was applied before sowing, at seedling, at branching and pod setting stage [10].

Data collection and data analyses

Agronomic data were collected on plant and plot basis from mother trial, which has three replications. The data of number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight (gm.) and Plant height (cm) were recorded from on randomly selected five plants from the middle four rows of each plot. And biological data like biomass yield (kg/ha) and seed yield (kg/ha) were collected from harvestable plot area of mother trial. In addition to these disease data also scored. Farmers were participated the best variety selection process during 2020. Totally, 27 farmers who produce chickpea under irrigation participated variety selection process. Farmers’ criteria or traits to select best variety were grain productivity, earliness, seed color, seed size and free from any diseases. The ranking procedure was explained for participant farmers and each selection criteria was ranked from 1 to 5(1= very good, 2= good, 3= average, 4= poor and 5= very poor). Then farmers were given the chance to rank each variety based on the attributes listed by them. The agronomic data were subjected to the analysis of variance using Gen stat software eighteenth editions from mother trial. two methods by which farmers can evaluate varieties in the PVS trials are the Pair wise ranking and the Matrix ranking method. The selection data were analyzed by Pair-Wise ranking method [11,12].

Results

According to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and farmers selection criteria the best variety identified. The analysis of variance showed significant difference (P<0.05) for number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, grain yield and biomass in kg per hectare in the results of the two years. The analysis showed variety Minjarwas the best yielder in both years with grain yield 3349.9 kg/ha, followed by variety Dimtu (3218.9 kg/ha) and Mitik (2763.2 kg/ha). The least grain yield scored by Local (farmers’) variety (1970 kg/ha). The yield advantage of Minjar and Dimtu over local variety was 70% and 63.4% respectively. The influence of disease is minimal under irrigation production system. But in this study, there was disease (Fusarium wilt) occurrence in 2019 trial due to this overall grain yield performance of the varieties during this year was very low compare to the results of in 2018. In general, grain yield of chickpea under irrigation production is highly increased than rain fed production system. Similar to this study, increase in grain yield of chickpea under irrigation has been reported by many authors (Table 1) [13-16].

Table 1: Table 1 Mean Performance of Desi type Chickpea Varieties under irrigation.

There was also a substantial difference between the varieties for hundred seed weight. The hundred seedweight of the varieties varied in both year’s trial with range between 31.7 gm for Dimtu and 10.7 for Local (farmers’) variety.

The maximum hundred seed weight for Dimtu was 31.7 gm followed by Dalota (28.8 gm) and Teketay (25.9 gm) The days to maturity of the varieties were range 88 - 100 days, this indicate all varieties including farmers’ variety were early maturing (Table 2).

Table 2: Performance of Desi type Chickpea Varieties under irrigation.

Similarly, two irrigations at branching and pod formation stages were shown better seeds per pod and seed weight. Based on this, number of seeds per pod was significant difference between the varieties with the range of 2.1 (farmers’ variety) – 1 (Dimtu). This result indicates the variety which has the lowest seed weight and size scored maximum number of seeds inside a pod (farmers’ variety) whereas bold seeded variety scored almost a single seed in a pod (Table 3) [17,18].

Table 3: Mean Performance of Desi type Chickpea under irrigation in 2019 – 2020.

Participatory variety selection (PVS) was also done as an option to increasing productivity and production in terms of users’ preferences under irrigation. A very important advantage of PVS is that the adoption of new cultivars ismuch faster than under the formal system, in which farmers are confronted with only a very restricted range of new cultivars [19]. During 2019 trial season, Farmers participate to select best variety based on their criteria. Totally 27 farmers who produce chickpea under irrigation participated variety selection process. For chickpea variety selection farmers focused on the traits of grain productivity, earliness, seed color, seed size and free from any diseases. All the criteria were set by farmers without contributing the researcher. Two methods by which farmers can evaluate varieties in the PVS trials are the Pair wise ranking method and the Matrix ranking method.

The ranking procedure was explained for participant farmers and each selection criteria was ranked from 1 to 5 (1= very good, 2= good, 3= average, 4= poor and 5= very poor). Before selection process, farmers had given weight for their criteria. Based on this, grain yield productivity was the most prioritized farmers’ criteria to select the best variety followed by seed color, earliness, seed size and disease free which had given 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weights; respectively. farmers have their own selection criteria for new varieties which largely depend on the importance of the crop in the farming system and uses. Matrix ranking was used to assess farmers’ opinion and perceptions on the varieties. According to Agricultural Research Institution unpublished Guideline for Participatory Varietal Selection, the variety which has the least rank index, the most desirable variety. The ranking of desi type chick pea varieties based on the perception of the farmers (Table 4).

Table 4: Pair-wise ranking of the criteria for desi type chickpea variety by farmers.

As per the selection criteria set farmers ranked the overall preference ranking of varieties based on five criteria was in the order Minjar, Kutaye, Mitik, Dimtu, Dalota, Teketay, Natoli, Fetenech, Local and Mastewal, respectively. Farmers prefer varieties that meet multiple objectives; on chickpea, on sorghum, on ground nut. This means that in present study Minjar (3349.9 kg/ha), Kutaye (2053.1 kg/ ha)and Mitik (2763.2 kg/ha) best varieties under irrigation could easily be introduced and incorporated in the farming systems based on various subjective preference criteria. Farmers preferred the variety Mitik thirdly as it produced attractive seed color and grain yield, whereas Mastewal and local (farmers’ variety) were ranked the lowest [20-24].

Conclusion and Recommendation

Ten improved desi type chickpea varieties including local checks were tested for yield and adaptation under irrigation at Kobo district of North Wollo Zone for two years. Differences among varieties were significant for grain yield and some of traits. Grain yield was the first prioritized traits to farmers for selecting best adaptable chickpea variety under irrigation. Minjarwasbest variety based on ANOVA result and visually selected by the farmers as good for grain yield under irrigation followed by Kutaye and Mitik. This study also indicated that proper selection of varieties with improved management can increase farmers’ income under irrigation. Therefore; based on researchers and farmers’ perceptionMinjar variety will be recommended and pre-scale up for producing areas in the districtand similar agro ecological zones under irrigation production system.

Acknowledgements

First of all, the authors deepest gratitude and acknowledge goes to Amhaera Agricultural Research Institute and/or Sirinka Agricultural Research Center for providing research budget and facilitate the process. We would like also to express sincere thanks to Sirinka Agricultural Research Center pulse case team members for contributing their great effort this successful accomplishment of the experiment.

REFERENCES

1. FAOSTA. Production of Chickpea by countries. (2012 – 2014).
2. Tebkew D, Chris OO. Current status of wilt/root rot diseases in major chickpea growing areas of Ethiopia. Arch Phytopathol Pflanzenschutz. 2016; 24-26.
3. Nigusie G, Asnake F, Chris OO. The Genotypic and Phenotypic Basis of Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) Cultivars for Irrigation-Based Production in Ethiopia. J Agricultural Science. 2017; 9(8): 1916.
4. Muehlbauer FJ, Singh KB. Genetics of chickpea, In: Saxena M. C. and Singh K.B. (eds.): The chickpea. CAB International. 1987;9-125.
5. Asnake F. Overview of chickpea improvement research program in Ethiopia. J International Legume Society. 2013;3.
6. Shafique MS, Ahsan M, Mehmood Z, Abdullah M, Shakoor A, Ahmad MI. Genetic variability and interrelationship of various agronomic traits using correlation and path analysis in Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) Acadamic J Agric Res. 2016;4(2): 82-85.
7. Gul R, Khan H, Sattar S, Farhatullah, Munsif F, Shadman,et al. Comparison among nodulated and non nodulated chickpea genotypes, SarhadJorna of Agriculture 2011;27(4): 577-581.
8. Tilahun H, Michael M, Sileshi B, Teklu E. Irrigation and Rain-fed Crop Production System in Ethiopia. International Water Management Institute. 2018.
9. Abebe G, Assefa THH, Mesfin T, Al AM. Participatory selection of drought tolerant maize varieties using mother and baby methodology: Case study in the semi-arid zones of the centeral rift valley of Ethiopia .World J Agriculture Scie. 2005;1:22-27.
10. Fitsum D, Michael B, Lijalem K. Crop water requirement determination of chickpea in the central vertisol area of Ethiopia using FAO CROPWAT model. Afr J Agric Res. 2015;10(7):685-689.
11. Gomez KA, Gomez AA. Statistical procedures for agricultural research 2nded John Willey and Sons, New York. 1984.
12. Ceccarelli S. Plant breeding with farmers – A technical manual. ICARDA, PO Box 5466,Aleppo, Syria.pp xi + 126. 2012.
13. Anwar MR, McKenzie BA, Hill GD. Water-use efficiency and the effect of water deficits on crop growth and yield of Kabuli chickpea in a cool-temperate sub humid climate. J Agric Sci. 2013;141:285-301.
14. Pacucci G, Troccoli C, Leoni B. Supplementary Irrigation on Yield of Chickpea Genotypes in a Mediterranean Climate. Agricultural Engineering International: The CIGR E journal. 2006;8(1):4005.
15. Kang S, McKenzie BA, Hill GD. Effect of irrigation on growth and yield of Kabuli chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) and narrow-leafed lupin (LupinusangustifoliusL.). Agronomy New Zealand. 2008;38.
16. Vinayak N, Halepyati AS, Koppalkar BG. Growth and yield of late sown chickpea as influenced by irrigation methods, genotypes and planting densities. Karnataka J Agric Sci. 2012;25(2): 267-269.
17. Ray M, Nanda MK, Khan DK. Effect of date of sowing and irrigation on seed yield, yield attributes and water use of Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.) at lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal. J Crop Weed. 2011;7(2): 30-32.
18. Mohammed A, Asefie S, Dagnachew W, Seyum N. Participatory evaluations of field pea (Pisumsativum L.) varieties in Wollo, Ethiopia. Excellent Word J Agricultural Science.2016;1(2):1-6.
19. Tulole LB, Erasto MS, Theofora XM, Leah WM. On farm evaluation of promising ground nut varieties for adaptation and adoption in Tanzania. Afr J Agric Res. 2018;3(8):531-536.
20. Vinayak N, Halepyati AS, Koppalkar BG. Growth and yield of late sown chickpea as influenced by irrigation methods, genotypes and planting densities. Karnataka. J Agric Sci. 2012;25(2):267-269.
21. Brick H, Knewtson S, Grusak MA. Chickpea leaves as vegetable green for humans: Evolution of mineral composition. J Sci Food Agric. 2003;83, 945-950.
22. Mansur CP, Palled YB, Salimath PM, Halikatti SI. An analysis of dry matter production, growth and yield in Kabuli chickpea as influenced by dates of sowing and irrigation levels. Karnataka J Agric Sci. 2003;23(3):457-460.
23. Ojiewo C. Presentation of Chickpea Production, Technology Adoption and Market Linkages in Ethiopia on Pan-African Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference Livingstone – Zambia. 2016
24. Tulole LB, Erasto MS, Theofora XM, Leah WM. Yield performance and adaptation of four sorghum cultivars in Igunga and Nzega districts of Tanzania. Int J Faculty Agric Biol. 2010;5(1):4-40.