Effect of Seed Hardening on Morphological, Growth and Yield Parameters of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural sciences, Dharwad during rabi 2021-22 to study the impact of seed hardening chemical Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) on morphological, biochemical parameters and yield in Chickpea (var. JG-11). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consist of seed hardening with Aminolevulinic acid at different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 ppm) and CaCl2 (2%). The results of the investigation revealed that, among the treatments the seed soaking with Aminolevulinic acid @ 30 ppm has registered significantly highest plant height, number of primary branches per plant, and total dry matter and SPAD value followed by 2% CaCl2. Whereas it was lowest in control in all the parameters. The growth parameters viz., leaf area index, absolute growth rate, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate  and leaf area duration increased significantly with seed hardening treatments. yield and yield components increased significantly due to seed hardening with Aminolevulinic acid (30 ppm) followed by 2% CaCl2 as compared to control. The economics of chickpea was highest with 2 % CaCl2 compared to aminolevulinic acid @ 30 ppm. As per the results obtained seed hardening with Aminolevulinic acid (30 ppm) and CaCl2 (2%) are more effective in increasing drought tolerance in chickpea.