Productivity and quality of chickpea seeds in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluated the productive performance, physiological and sanitary quality of the 'BRS Cícero' chickpea cultivar seeds at two sites in the municipality of Montes Claros, MG, at different planting times under irrigated system. The production characteristics evaluated were: plant height and weight, harvest index, weight per 100 seeds and productivity. The germination, first germination count and germination speed index were used to evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds, and the freezing filter paper test, to evaluate their sanitary quality. The planting in São Roberto was more favorable for the development of the plants, with higher production (from 2 to 4 t ha-1) and physiological quality of seeds. The best planting time under the soil and climate conditions of Montes Claros, MG varied between sites, with June being the most indicated month for both sites. The 'BRS Cícero' cultivar showed high productive performance in the conditions of Montes Claros, MG, during the evaluation period.