Evaluation of Yield Performance of Some Local Chickpea Varieties In Silifke Ecological Conditions

This study was conducted in 2022 in the arid conditions of Silifke district, Mersin. The experiment included 14 chickpea varieties (Aksu, Seckin, Inci, Kusmen-99, Damla-89, Cevdetbey-98, Canitez, Ubet, Gulumser, Borabey, Zuhal, Sezenbey, Sari-98, and Yasa-05) planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. According to the research results, flowering duration ranged from 125.50 to 133.33 days, pod setting duration from 138.70 to 143.53 days, plant height from 29.77 to 46.70 cm, first pod height from 20.85 to 28.37 cm, number of branches per plant from 1.80 to 4.10, number of pods per plant from 2.47 to 13.10, number of seeds per pod from 0.54 to 1.08, pod length from 1.96 to 2.50 cm, thousand seed weight from 258.17 to 395.33 g, grain yield per hectare from 23.84 to 116.91 kg, harvest index from 26.35 to 42.72%, root length from 7.63 to 12.38 cm, disease severity from 0.00 to 1.67, protein content from 14.22% to 19.48%, starch content from 38.00% to 44.69%, oil content from 4.56% to 5.75%, ash content from 2.45% to 2.93%, fiber content from 5.87% to 6.96%, and moisture content ranging from 11.07% to 12.02%.In conclusion, the Aksu variety was found to be more suitable under Silifke ecological conditions based on the evaluated characteristics and demonstrated higher yield compared to other varieties. Further scientific research on the Aksu variety suggests its potential widespread cultivation under Silifke conditions.