Optimizing harvest schemes to improve yield and feeding quality in chickpea

Abstract

Late maturity often causes substantial losses in yield and quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the short growing season in western Canada. This study determined optimum harvest management practices to minimize losses due to late maturity. Kabuli chickpea was grown in southwestern Saskatchewan from 2002 to 2004, and seed and straw were harvested with various harvest management practices. Seed yield in 2004 was higher compared with 2002 and 2003, but the 2004 seed samples had a high percentage of shrivelled and green seeds. Seed yield, weight per seed and harvest index (HI) were highest when the crop was directly combined at natural maturity either before or after a killing (-5°C) frost. On average, swathing at early or late maturity stages decreased seed yield, weight per seed and HI significantly compared with direct combine practices. Seeds from the swathing treatments had high percentages of green and shrivelled seeds with high levels of fungal colonization. Both seed and straw from swathing had the poorest feeding quality measured as neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and organic matter content and digestibility. Desiccation of chickpea plants with Reglone or low dosages of glyphosate when 80% of pods had turned colour did not advance plant maturity, nor did they affect seed yield or HI compared with direct combine practices. It is concluded that in the short growing season in western Canada, harvest of chickpea at natural maturity either prior to or after a killing frost may optimize the seed yield and quality. Regardless of harvest practices, the quality of both seed and straw in chickpea may be suitable as salvage feed materials for beef livestock. Key words: Cicer arietinum, desiccation, direct-combine, maturity, glyphosate stress, swath, salvage feed

Effect of prohexadione calcium on vegetative growth, seed maturity and seed yield of the Kabuli chickpea cultivar CDC Frontier

“…Despite the many advantages of growing chickpea, its production on the Canadian prairies faces unique challenges. As a crop with a strong indeterminate growth habit, under favourable growing conditions, chickpea continues vegetative growth during the regenerative stage instead of setting pods (Gan et al 2008). The end of the western Canadian growing season is characterized by declining temperatures and sometimes wet conditions, which are highly conducive for continued vegetative growth.…”

“…Development of agronomic practices, in parallel with breeding efforts, can play an important role because these practices could be flexible with changing conditions and location-specific requirements. Effects of seed bed conditions (Gan et al 2009), nitrogen fertilizer management (Zakeri et al 2012), application of desiccants (Chaudhary 2012) and different harvesting techniques (Gan et al 2008) have been evaluated to control the excessive vegetative growth and to influence the crop maturity of chickpea under western Canadian growing conditions; however, only limited success has been achieved.…”