INFLUENCE OF SOWING TIME AND PRIMING ON GROWTH YIELD AND SEED QUALITY OF CHICKPEA

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy research field of Sher-e-l3angla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during the period from November 2013 to March 2014 to study the eflèct of sowing time and seed treatment with GA 3 on growth, yield and quality of chickpea. The experiment comprised as two factors: sowing date - 3 times: l sowing date: 2d sowing date: 29i November -- S2 and3 sowhig date: 9th 19Ih November - S,. December - S3 and seed treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3 ) - 5 levels: GA3 75 ppm - T, GA3 ISO ppm - T2, GA3 225 ppm - 1'). GA3 300 ppm - T 4 and hydro-priniing - T 5 . The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result indicated significant variations in date of emergence, date of (irsi flowering, date of 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches plant 4 , total dry matter, number of pod plant', date to pod maturity, pod length. weight of 1000 seed, grain yield. stover yield, biological yield, harvest index. germination percentage and vigor index due to sowing time and/or seed treatment with GA 3. Among the treatment combinations, the tallest plant and dry matter content were recorded in S2T3 irrespective of growing time. This combination also exhibited maximum number of pods plant", the longest pod length and maximum number of seeds pod", whereas required minimum duration for pod maturity. The maximum weight of 1000 seed, the highest grain yield, harvest index and also maximum germination percentage and vigor index were found, when chickpea was sown on 29th November and treated with 225 ppm GA3.