Chickpea adaptationAdaptation can be achieved through:

• direct selection for yield OR

• selection for that are

associated with yield, but have higher

heritability

Crop Growth Rate (CGR)Chickpea CGR within a critical window is closely associated with yield

under stress

Two main determinants of CGR are the ability to intercept radiation (PARi

400–700 nm) and the efficiency with which this is converted into biomass

(RUE)

Aim

Field trials• Factorial of 7 lines x 4 environments

• 7 lines

• 6 row plots

• 55 (desi) and 35 (kabuli) seed per square meter

• Inoculated with group N rhizobia

• 80 kg ha MAP

PBA HatTrick, Genesis 836, PBA Pistol, PBA Striker, PBA Boundary, CICA 1229, PBA Monarch

Environments

9th June Irrigated gives potential yield9th June Rainout shelter gives water stress7th July Irrigated gives heat stress7th July Rainfed gives water and heat stress

Method1. Use Accupar LP-80 Ceptometer to measure PAR interception every 10 –

20 days 2. Measure biomass accumulation 3. Use biomass accumulation and intercepted PAR to calculate RUE4. Collect yield and components at maturity

Results

Whole season

Before flowering

After flowering

PAR RUE

Dry

Irrigated

Results

Higher RUE associated with higher yield in ALL environments.Higher PAR only associated with higher yield under irrigation.

Higher RUE associated with higher yield under irrigation.Higher PAR NOT associated with higher yield.

Higher RUE associated with higher yield under irrigation.Higher PAR associated with higher yield under irrigation.

Summary• High PAR interception and RUE were associated with

high yield

• BUT the interaction between environment and phenological stage dictated this relationship

• In stress environments there was no association between yield and PAR interception or RUE before flowering

Acknowledgements

Dr. Kristy Hobson (NSW DPI)

Dr. Jeff Paull (University of Adelaide)

SARDI - Clare team

Lake, L. and V. O. Sadras (2014). "The critical period for yield determination in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)." Field Crops Research 168: 1-7.

Lake, L., Sadras, V.O., 2016. Screening chickpea for adaptation to water stress: Associations between yield and crop growth rate. European Journal of Agronomy 81, 86-91.

Lake, L., Sadras, V., 2017. Associations between yield, intercepted radiation and radiation-use efficiency in chickpea. Crop and Pasture Science 68, 140-147.

References