Adaptation Study of Improved Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L) Varieties at Kellem Wollega Zone, Haro Sabu, Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was envisaged to assess the adaptability of four improved Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L) varieties (Arerti,Monino, Shasho, Ejere and a local check (Harere) at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center sub sites, to see their adaptability potential under western Oromia. These varieties were sown in RCBD with three replications during 2013/14 at Hawa Galan and Tabor sub sites. Combined analyses of data from the two experimental sites(Hawa Galan and Tabor )revealed very highly significant varietal differences (P < 0.05) in grain yield, days to 50% flowering and days to 95% maturity, seed per pod and hundred seed weight and significant for plant height. However, no significant varietal differences were observed in main branch per plant and pod per plant. The location effect was highly significant (P < 0.05) for hundred seed weight and significant for plant height. There were no significant differences between the two locations with respect days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, main branch per plant, pod per plant, seed per pod and yield. The replication across location effect was not significant (P < 0.05) for all characters studied. A variety x Location interaction effects was highly significant (P < 0.05) only for hundred seed weight. Regarding the mean performances of varieties over the two locations, Arerti was the highest in grain yield (20.1 Qt ht^-1), followed by Shasho (19.8 Qt ht ^-1).On the contrary, the lowest grain yield was obtained from Monino (5.2 Qt ht^-1).

Keywords: Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L); varieties; adaptability