Abstract
Five field and three laboratory experiments were carryout at BINA sub-station farm, Ishurdi, farmer's field at Godagari, Rajshahi and at the Agronomy laboratory, BINA, Mymensingh, during 2003-04 to 2005-06 seasons in order to define and standardize a package for development of technologies for improving yield and storability of chickpea seed. The area of study covered date of sowing, effect of phosphorus and biofertilizer, plant population, zinc and sulfur on the development of seed, storing of seed in different media using radiation and drying of seed. The results of date of sowing demonstrated that early sowing (November 1 and November 15) produced higher seed yield which ranged between 1991-2085 kg/ha. Sowing in late (December 1 and December 15) produce shortest plant, less branching, lower number of pod and seed, small sized of seed, and lowest yield by the varieties studied. The results of phosphorus and biofertilizer trial demonstrated that biofertilizer had marked positive influence on the production of nodule. Highest nodules (25.6, 27.37 and 25.73 by Binasola-4, Binasola-3 and Hyprosola respectively) were noted by application of biofertilizer. All the variety produced increasing nodule by application of 30-60 kg of P₂O₅ /ha. Inoculation of biofertilizer produced higher seed yield (2518, 2517 and 2608 kg/ha by Binasola 4, Binasola 3 and Hyprosola respectively). The results of spacing trial revealed that wider spacing (80 cm x 10 cm) produced higher number of branches. Closer spacing (40 cm x10 cm) produced higher plant stands and higher seed yield (2367, 2376 and 2328 kg/ha by Binasola 4, Binasola 3 and Hyprosola respectively). The results of sulfur trial showed that different levels of sulfur had significance influence on yield and yield components. It was reported that Binasola 4, Binasola 3 and Hyprosola produced highest number of pods/plant (73.17, 74.53 and 76.50 respectively). Highest seed yield (2392 kg) was obtained by Binasola 3 at 20 kg/ha of sulfur application. The results of Zn trial demonstrated that 2.0 and 2.5 kg/ha of Zn gave significantly higher seed yield (2480 and 2297 kg/ha respectively). The yield increase at 2.0 and 2.5 kg/ha of Zn application were 22.13% and 18.95% over control (All nutrient –Zn). The results suggested that application of Zn at 2.0- 2.5 kg/ha in chickpea were the best for achieving higher seed yield. Achieving of higher yield might be the contribution of pod/plant. Storage trial showed that metal, plastic and polythene bag performed better for preservation of chickpea seed where the crop varieties performed excellent in respect moisture, germination, dry weight of seedling, root and shoot development, vigour and protein content. Storage trial using radiation noted that minimum moisture (9.26 and 9.32%) was recorded at seed preserved in plastic and metal container which was irradiated at 5 grays of radiation and all other irradiated (10, 15 and 20 grays) seeds were also safe for storage in metal, plastic and in polythene bag. In the fourth trial of drying of seeds in different levels and storage media showed that drying seeds for three days which were stored in metal, plastic container and polythene bag showed minimum moisture (9.95, 10.23, and 11.05% respectively). One day drying showed higher moisture, lower germination, root shoot length and vigour index. Higher germination rate was obtained in three day drying of seeds which were stored in metal (93.4%), plastic (91.9%) container and polythene bag (90%).