The effect of autumn and spring planting time on seed yield and protein content of chickpea genotypes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of autumn and spring plantings on seed yield and quality of chickpea genotypes. Fourteen chickpea genotypes were grown over the consecutive two growing seasons in northwest Turkey. The results showed that planting time had significant effects on the investigated traits (P < 0.05). Significant differences for yield were observed between autumn (2050 kg ha(-1)) and spring (1588 kg ha(-1)) plantings. Line 99-59C was the highest yielding genotype both in autumn (2662 kg ha(-1)) and spring (2000 kg ha(-1)) plantings. Seed analysis revealed that crude protein content in spring planting (23.2%) was higher than in autumn planting (20.5%). The highest protein content (21.1%) was produced by genotype P-2 in autumn planting whereas line 97-73C had the highest content (24.6%) in spring planting. In addition, yield was highly and positively correlated with C/N ratio (r = 0.20**) whereas it was negatively correlated with protein (r = -0.19**). As a result, planting time influenced yield, yield components and chemical composition of the genotypes. Autumn planting had advantages for higher seed yield and consequently higher amount of protein per harvested area.