Comparative characteristics of common chickpea varieties in terms of yield and agroecological stability

Abstract

Purpose. One of the key tasks of effective chickpea grain production is to establish the factors that determine the level of crop yield. Such factors include, first of all, the selection of varieties adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the corresponding growing zone. The purpose of the study is to carry out a comparative assessment of common chickpea varieties in Ukraine in terms of yield, a set of economically valuable traits and indicators of agroecological sustainability.
Methods. A comparative assessment of common chickpea varieties in terms of yield and agroecological sustainability indicators was carried out based on the analysis of data from the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine for 2026, as well as Official Descriptions of Varieties by Criteria of Economic Suitability for the Forest-Steppe Conditions of Ukraine, published in the Bulletins "Protection of Plant Variety Rights" of the Information and Reference System "Varieties".
Results. According to the yield index, the varieties of common chickpeas included in the State Register are placed in the following sequence: Zekhavit – 3.9 t/ha, Lara – 3.4 t/ha, Kira – 3.3 t/ha, Eva – 3.2 t/ha, Venta – 2.8 t/ha, Zodiac – 2.8 t/ha, Kozerog – 2.7 t/ha, Octavius – 2.5 t/ha, Aries – 2.0 t/ha. In terms of the duration of the growing season, the Lara variety was the earliest to ripen (74 days), while the varieties of common chickpeas Venta and Octavius had the longest growing season of 95 days each. The highest values of the mass of 1000 grains were formed by the varieties Aries, Capricorn, and Zekhavit with the mass of 1000 grains of 475, 440, 430 g, respectively. Among the chickpea varieties included in the State Register, the highest plant height was formed by the Venta variety – 70 cm, while the lowest was formed by the Zekhavit variety – 53 cm. The indicator of the height of attachment of the lower bean was maximum in the Zekhavit variety – 28.5 cm. In the Venta variety, it was 25 cm, in the Eva variety – 22 cm, in the Kira, Kozerog and Octavius varieties – 20 cm each, in the Aries variety – 19 cm, and the lowest values were in the Lara and Zodiac varieties – 18 cm each.
An important condition for selecting common chickpea varieties for cultivation in specific soil and climatic conditions is their ability to withstand adverse environmental factors. According to the results of the analysis, the lodging resistance of chickpea varieties was 7–9 points, with Kira and Zodiac having the highest values – 9 points. The resistance to seed shedding varied within 6–9 points; the maximum values were observed in the varieties Kira, Kozerog and Oven, each with 9 points. Resistance to ascochyta blight varied from 6 to 9 points, with Zodiak and Oven being characterized by the highest level – 9 points. Resistance to root rot was in the range of 5–8 points; the best values were demonstrated by Zodiak, Kozerog and Oven, each with 8 points. Resistance to grain blast in common chickpea varieties was 5–9 points, and the maximum value was recorded in the Oven variety – 9 points.
Conclusions. Based on the comparative characteristics of chickpea varietal resources, varieties that differed in yield and agroecological stability were identified.