Effect of row spacing and plant density on some morphological traits, yield, yield components and seed protein in two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of row spacing and plant density on some morphological traits, yield, yield components and seed protein in two chickpea cutivars. Experiment was conducted in 2007 -2008 at Ahvaz city. the design of experiment was a split plot factorial in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Main plots were devoted a three row spacing (40, 50, 60 cm) while minor plots assigned to two plant densites (25, 35 plants per m2) as well as two cultivars (Arman and Hashem). Results obtained from data showed that row spacing had no significant effect on all investigated traits. Howevere, number of pods/ unit area, seed yield, biologic yield and 100 seed weight relatively smaller in row spacing 60cm. Plant density had positive significant effect on number of pods / unit area, seed yield and biologic yield, that plant density of 35 plants/m2 has greatest. The number of branches were significantly more in density of 25 plants/m2. Hashem cultivar had greatert plant height, first pod height and biologic yield. So Arman cultivar had greatert harvest index. Treatment effects had not significant effects on some traits investigated. Howevere, using combinded treatments of narrow row spacing (40 or 50 cm) and higher plant density (35 plants/m2) producted greatest seed yield in two cultivar.