Biomass response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to different textured soils and irrigation levels

Authors

  • Manare Maxson Masowa 1. Department of Plant Production, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa; 2. Agricultural Research Council – Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8055-5166
  • Phesheya Dlamini Department of Plant Production, Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7439-0449
  • Zenzile Peter Khetsha Department of Agriculture, Central University of Technology, Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6133-9938

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2024.v50.i3.4082

Keywords:

chickpea, reduced irrigation, plant biomass, water scarcity

Abstract

Irrigation is required to supplement rainfall to enhance the productivity of chickpea in South Africa (SA). However, the dependence on irrigation can be problematic for SA and other countries with limited natural water resources and variable rainfall. Even though access to irrigation water has been identified as one of the challenges faced when planting chickpea in the winter season in SA, irrigation management strategies for chickpea grown on soils differing in texture have not gained considerable research attention. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effects of irrigation levels on dry matter production of chickpea grown on two soils differing in soil texture under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial in a completely randomized design, with 3 irrigation levels (25%, 50% and 75% of the water-holding capacity of soil (WHC)) and 2 soils differing in soil textural class (Loamy sand (LS) soil and sandy loam (SL) soil), replicated thrice. Irrigation level, soil texture and their interaction significantly affected shoot biomass (SBM) and total plant biomass (TBM). Generally, SBM, TBM and root biomass decreased correspondingly with the reduction in irrigation. The 25% WHC significantly reduced the SBM by up to 60% and TBM by up to 56% compared to the 50% and 75% WHC. The SBM and TBM were higher in SL soil than in LS soil. A significantly higher root/shoot ratio (0.45) in the LS soil than in the SL soil (0.16) indicated that the conditions of LS soil encouraged plants to allocate higher proportions of biomass into roots, possibly due to increased competition for soil resources. In conclusion, maintaining soil moisture at 50% WHC ensures better chickpea dry matter production in SL soil.

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Published

2024-07-31

Issue

Section

Research paper

How to Cite

Biomass response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to different textured soils and irrigation levels. (2024). Water SA, 50(3 July). https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2024.v50.i3.4082