Influence of Varieties, Irrigation and Weed Control Measures On Nutritional Status of Chickpea Grains

The effect of weed control in chickpea crop was assessed during 2011–12 and 2012-–13 in two-year experimentation at Ahmad Wala Research Station district Karak, Pakistan. Both experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-split-plot arrangement, each treatment replicated four times. Five chickpea varieties were selected for this research as factor A that included three Desi chickpea (Karak‑1, Karak‑2, and Sheenghar) and two Kabuli type (Lawaghar and KC-98). The factor B comprised of 10 weed control treatments viz. pendimethalin pre-emergent (pre-em), pendimethalin pre-em + hand weeding (HW) once at 60 days after sowing (DAS), s‑metolachlor pre-em, s‑metolachlor pre-em + HW 60 DAS, HW once at 30 DAS, HW twice (30 and 60 DAS), HW thrice (30, 60 and 90 DAS), white plastic mulch, black plastic mulch and a weedy check (control). The factor C included two treatments (irrigated and rainfed). Significant variation was recorded among the five tested varieties (factor A). The highest protein (23.45%) and ash content (3.42%) were observed in variety KC-98 grains. The maximum fiber (5.0%) and moisture contents (6.64%) were noted in Karak‑2. The maximum fat (6.55%) and carbohydrate contents (57.38%) were recorded in Sheenghar and Lawaghar, respectively. Moreover, the results indicated a significant effect of the applied treatments (factor B) on ash and moisture contents (%) of chickpea grains, while the effect on the rest of the parameters was non-significant. The irrigation regimes also had a significant effect only on the moisture and carbohydrate contents (%) of chickpea grains. In conclusion, for higher protein, fiber, and carbohydrate contents, the varieties KC-98, Karak‑2, and Lawaghar, respectively are the most suitable for cultivation in Karak District of Pakistan. The weed control methods also had a positive correlation with the ash and moisture contents, but no correlation with the protein, fiber, and carbohydrate contents. Similarly, irrigation showed a positive correlation with the moisture and carbohydrate contents.