Effect of priming and different initial soil moisture on desi chickpea ICCV 95107 (Cicer arietinum L.) dry matter production (kg/ha)

Technologies such as seed priming have been reported to result in early and uniform crop germination, enhancing optimum crop stand and establishment, eventually leading to optimal crop yields in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). This study, therefore, was initiated to evaluate the dry matter production of chickpea under different priming methods, varying priming durations and different initial soil moisture levels. Field experiments were carried out at Mwea Irrigation Agricultural Development Centre (MIAD) farm Kirinyaga County, Kenya during 2012/2013 seasons. A split plot experimental design was used to test effects of no priming, hydro priming and halo priming at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % NaCl2 concentration) and at 8, 10 and 12 hours priming duration on germination and growth of desi chickpea ICCV 95107. Altogether, the trial comprised 13 treatment combinations replicated three times with pre-sowing irrigation to soils at field capacity (FC) (100%), 75 %, 50 % and 25 %. Data was collected at growth stages of 25,50,75,90 and 105 days after sowing (DAS). The highest dry matter (DM) yields of 5001.1 and 3973.0 kg/ha was realized under 100 % FC at 105 DAS in season I and II, respectively. Dry matter accumulation (kg/ha) increased from 25 DAS to 105 DAS in both season under all pre sowing irrigation conditions, which correlates to growth stages. Dry matter also increased with increased pre sowing irrigation from 25% FC to 100% FC, and at every stage of growth. Halo priming for 8 hours with 0.2% NaCl2 distilled water solution gave the highest DM at all stages of growth (P ≤ 0.05). Significantly higher DM yields (P ≤ 0.05) were produced at 25% FC pre sowing irrigation with no priming (6500.0 kg/ha) and 0.2% NaCl2 for 12 hours (5900.0 kg/ha) by 90 DAS D during the wet season (SI). Dry matter ranged from 6440.0kg/ha at 50% FC- 0.2% NaCl2 for 8 hours to 6713.0kg/ha at 75% FC- 0.1% NaCl2 for 10 hours 6970.0 kg/ha at 0.2% NaCl2 for 8 hours. During the drier season (SII), the highest DM yields of 5017.0 and 4285.0 kg/ha were realized from 100% FC pre-sowing irrigation and priming of 0.2% NaCl2 for 12 hours and 0.2% NaCl2 for 10 hours, respectively. Therefore, adequate soil moisture of over 75% FC is necessary if effectiveness of priming 0.1 to 0.2% NaCl2 for 8 to 12 hours is to be realized under clay ASALs sandy loam soils of Mwea where droughts lead to prolonged seed emergence period, leading to deterioration of the seedbed and increased soil compaction, that eventually result in poor crop emergence, establishment and poor crop yields