Kabuli chickpea as a winter - sown crop in Northern Syria : moisture relations and crop productivity

Results of studies conducted at ICARDA comparing winter and spring croppings of ILC 482, a premier line of this legume, are summarized in this report. Crop growth and soil moisture analyses were undertaken for winter and spring plantings at three locations - Jindiress, Tel Hayda, and Brida - with contrasting precipitation patterns. Calculations were made of depth of soil moisture extraction by the plants, soil profile recharge and discharge depths and amounts, evapotranspiration, crop photosynthesis surface (green area indices), crop dry matter production, and seed yield and yield components. A doubling of green area and dry matter production and increased grain yields of 35%, 123% and 161% (respectively, at the sites named above) for winter- versus spring-sown chickpeas indicate the competitive potential for this crop as a seasonal addition or replacement in traditional food crop production cycles in Northern Syria, although further research is needed to reduce farmer risk in drier areas. Three tables and eight sets of graphs provide supporting data.