Change in Chemical Composition and Morphological Traits of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes Grown Under Natural Conditions

Chickpea is an important edible pulse able to be grown under rain-fed conditions. Chickpea kernels are quite rich in protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, thus play a great role in daily diets. Present experiments were conducted for two years in 2018 and 2019 growing seasons with 27 kabuli chickpea genotypes registered between the years 1991–2013 under rain-fed and natural conditions. Chemical and organic fertilizers were not used in both years of the experiments. Experiments were conducted in randomized blocks design with 3 replications. For morphological traits, plant height, the first pod height, number of pods per plant, number of kernels per pod, number of kernels per plant, kernel yield and kernel protein contents were determined. For chemical composition of kernels, heavy metals (Cr, Ni), macro (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S) and micro elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe) were determined. Significant increases and decreases were encountered in investigated traits based on registration years. Principal component analysis (PCA) for morphological traits and chemical composition of 27 different genotypes revealed that there were significant positive correlations between phosphorus and zinc contents and Akcin 91 cultivars was prominent for these two elements; there were positive correlations also between copper and iron and Cakır and Ilgaz cultivars were prominent for these elements. In terms of kernel yield, the cultivars (Aziziye 94 and Damla 89) registered in 1994 were found to be prominent. Kernel yields had positive correlations with Na content, but negative correlations with Ca, Fe, Cu and Mn contents.