M.A. Thesis:

Effect of time and amount application humic acid on yield and yield components of chickpea

In order to evaluate the reaction of yield and yield components of chickpea to humic acid foliar application in rainfed conditions, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out on Jovein county. Experimental factors included amount of humic acid at four levels of 0 (control), 2, 4 and 6 l/ha and time of foliar application at three levels of vegetative growth, beginning of reproductive growth and two foliar applications in vegetative growth and beginning of reproductive growth. The results showed that foliar application of humic acid had no significant effect on harvest index, but increased plant height, number of lateral branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, seed yield and biological yield compared with non-foliar application conditions. There was no significant difference between different amounts of humic acid in relation to plant height, number of lateral branches and number of seeds per pod. The highest seed yield and biological yield were produced by foliar application of 4 and 6 l/ha of humic acid, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between treatments of 4 and 6 l/ha of humic acid in relation to seed yield and biological yield. The highest weight of 100 seeds was obtained with foliar application of 6 l/ha of humic acid, which had a significant increase compared to other amounts of humic acid consumption. Foliar application time had a significant effect on plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, seed yield and biological yield. The foliar application of humic acid in vegetative growth and beginning of reproductive growth improved chickpea growth characteristics and produced the highest number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, seed yield and biological yield of chickpea. The results of this study showed that the foliar application of humic acid has a beneficial and effective role in improving the growth characteristics and yield of chickpea in rainfed conditions.

Keywords: Chickpe, Hashem cultivar, 100 seed weight, foliar application, rainfed conditions