Productive characteristics of domestic chickpea varieties grown in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

The need for widespread introduction of drought-resistant legumes into crop rotations, which are characterized by high productivity compared to other grain legumes when grown in regions with insufficient moisture, is indicated by the peculiarities of both the economic and environmental situation in the agricultural sector. A number of economic, environmental, and social challenges point to the need for various optimization measures within the production and industrial structure of agricultural enterprises. In order to fully realize the varietal potential of domestically bred chickpeas, it is necessary to analyze market offerings and their productivity levels and to periodically evaluate economic indicators. The aim of this study is to compare the productivity of different varieties of domestically bred chickpeas grown in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. To achieve this goal, the morphobiological characteristics of chickpea plants were compared, including plant length and shape, height of the first flower, number of pods per plant, number of plants and seeds per 1 m2, weight of 1000 seeds, etc. The economic indicators of chickpea cultivation, represented by cost price and profitability, were also evaluated. The obtained yield indicators of chickpeas demonstrated the prospects of growing the most profitable varieties, such as Orion and Triumph. In addition, the greatest influence on the growth and development of chickpea plants and their productive varietal characteristics was determined by the number of pods per plant, the number of plants and seeds per 1 m2, and the weight of 1000 seeds. It has been shown that the level of positive influence on the formation of dry matter by chickpea plants and its accumulation during vegetation changes in the process of plant growth and development, regardless of the indicators of field and laboratory seed germination. The expediency of ensuring maximum seed weight indicators for the ripening period, when the economically valuable part of the crop is formed, so that the vegetative part of the plant does not outweigh the seeds, has been proven. The highest yield was observed in the Orion variety (0.84 t/ha), while the increased cost and lower yield of the domestically bred varieties Rozanna (control) and EU Alunt led to a decrease in profit and profitability.