EFFECT OF ROW SPACING AND SEEDING RATES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF CHICKPEA

Chickpea response to five row spacing i.e. RS1 (15cm), RS2 (30 cm), RS3 (45 cm), RS4 (15/45 cm paired rows) and RS5 (15/75 cm paired rows) and four seeding rates i.e. S1 (60 kg ha^-1), S2 (75 kg ha^-1), S3 (90 kg ha^-1) and S4 (100 kg ha^-1) were studied in split plot arrangements. Main plot consisted of row spacing (RS) whereas seed rates were kept in sub-plots. The experiment was laid out at Arid Zone Research Institute Bhakkar during 2004-05 and 2005-06 with the objective to determine proper row spacing and seed rate for standardization of plant population per unit area and their interactive effects on chickpea yield. Yield and yield components were significantly affected by row spacing and seeding rates. The interaction between row spacing and seeding rates were also significant for the characters studied. Maximum average number of pods plant^–1 (45.61), seeds pod^–1 (1.957),100 seed weight (31.73 g) and CGR (9.66 g m^-2 d^-1) was recorded in 45 cm row spacing x 75 kg seed rate ha^–1 while minimum pods plant–1 (28.94), seeds pod^–1 (1.309) and CGR (6.40 g m^-2 d^-1) were recorded in RS1 x S4 and minimum 100 seed weight (26.67 g) was recorded in 15/75 cm paired rows and 100 kg seed rate ha^–1.Maximum average biological yield (6975 kg ha–1) and seed yield of 3110.32 kg ha^–1 was recorded in 45 cm row spacing cum 75 kg seed rate ha^–1 with harvest index of 44.63 % where as minimum biological yield (5296 kg ha^–1), seed yield (2002.26 kg ha^–1) and harvest index (36.10 %) was recorded in RS1 x S4. A row spacing of 45 cm with 75 kg seed rate ha^-1 seems to be optimum for higher yield in chickpea under arid climatic conditions.