THE IMPACT OF ALGAE EXTRACT APPLICATIONS ON THE YIELD COMPONENTS OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum) UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL TEXTURES

This study applied different concentrations of seaweed extract (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, and 2%) to soils with varying textures (clay loam and sandy soils). Chickpea seeds were sown after surface sterilizing the growing medium with a 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) solution. The plants were subsequently harvested, and several parameters were measured, including the length of the above-ground plant and root, and the wet and dry weights of both the above-ground parts and roots. The results indicated that applying different doses of seaweed extract had a statistically significant impact on the growth parameters of Azkan chickpea plants in soils with different textures (p<0.01). Higher values were observed in chickpea plants grown in clay loam soil than in those cultivated in sandy soil. In clay loam soil, the 0.75% dose of seaweed extract positively affected the length of the above-ground stem and root. Additionally, the 0.5% dose effectively enhanced the wet and dry weights of both the above-ground parts and roots. The study concluded that a 0.5% dose of seaweed extract significantly improved the fresh and dry weights of the roots. On the other hand, the 0.75% dose had a more substantial effect on the plant height, root length, and the fresh and dry weights of the above-ground parts. In sandy soil, the 0.75% application was found to be more effective in improving all measured parameters. Keywords: Chickpea, Growth parameters, Seaweed extract, Soil, Texture