RESPONSE OF YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF CHICKPEA TO FE FOLIAR FERTILIZATION

This study investigated response of Fe concentrations in shoot and seed, yield and yield components of chickpea cultivars to iron foliar fertilization. The experimental design was set up in split plot in randomized complete block with three replications. The main plot includes three Fe foliar treatment and four chickpea cultivars which are replaced in sub plot. At harvest, seed yield and its components, pod, seed and total dry weight, and seed protein content were measured. The Fe content was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. According to the results, Fe spraying had significant effect on the iron concentrations in shoots and seeds, dry weight of seed and total plant, number of pod per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield at 1% level and pod dry weight at 5% level. Based on the results, Fe foliar application at flowering stage compared to control treatments significantly increased number of pod 34.0% and seed 19.0% per plant. The highest 100 seed weight was observed in Fe foliar fertilization at pod set stage while, the highest seed yield obtained when iron was applied at flowering stage. Compared to control treatment, iron foliar fertilization at pod set stage significantly increased the Fe concentrations in shoots and seeds by, 142.9% and 181.7%, respectively.