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Source: Crop Development Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

	Seed B-90 kabuli chickpea as early as possible to avoid frost damage in the fall and to take advantage of the full growing season.
	Chickpea is a dryland plant that prefers lighter, well-drained soils. Heavy clay soils are often too moist. Excessive moisture will delay flowering and maturity.
	Chickpeas are not well adapted to saline soils.
	Treat the seed with APRON FL seed treatment fungicide for seedling disease control.
	Inoculate with chickpea-specific inoculant (Rhizobium ssp. cicer). Follow the general guidelines for inoculating pulse crops.
	If seed is treated, it should be planted immediately after inoculation, as seed treatments can be toxic to the inoculant.
	Plant into moisture 2 to 3 inches deep.
	Roll the land to preserve moisture and to improve harvestability.
	Post-emergent rolling or harrowing can cause severe crop injury.
	Do not apply large amounts of nitrogen, as this will reduce nitrogen fixation and delay maturity.
	Requirements for phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur are similar to pea or lentil.
	Micronutrient deficiencies (i.e.: iron, manganese) are rare but can occur. Tissue samples of plants showing symptoms should be taken and analyzed by a soil-testing laboratory.
	Use your least weedy field (chickpea is a poor competitor with weeds).
	There are currently only three registered herbicides for chickpeas in Canada (SENCOR, POAST, and SELECT). EDGE has been used with good results.
	Chickpeas, like other pulses, cannot tolerate residues of certain herbicides (see "Saskatchewan Pulse growers Manual" and follow label recommendations).
	Target 5 live plants per square foot.
	Insect damage is unlikely in Saskatchewan.
	Swath late in the season to hasten drydown (best results and best product quality if crop is left until the majority of the pods are straw yellow), or if direct harvesting, take crop off at 17 - 18% and dry down to 15% for storage.
	Weathered seed and dark seed discoloration are unacceptable to most processors and consumers (buyers prefer a yellowish-creme colour).
	No desiccants are currently registered for use in chickpeas in Canada. Desiccation may only be necessary if maturity is delayed due to late seeding, early fall, or cool and wet weather conditions.
	If "Saskatchewan Pulse Production Manual" can't answer your question, we will be happy to help.

• Main market is for human consumption for such countries as India, Asian countries, Greece, Spain, as well as smaller markets such as Italy, Morocco, Algeria, and Denmark. Marketability depends on quality, and transportation costs to these countries, as well as supply time.
• India's main use for chickpeas (Desi Gram) is for making besan (fine flour) for sweets, snacks, and mixed with wheat flour for flat breads (chapattis). Other chickpeas are used as vegetables with meals.
• Major supplying countries: Turkey, Australia, Lebanon, lran, and Belgium. Many countries produce small amounts, such as Singapore, Germany, France, Spain, Chile, Argentina, U.K., and the Netherlands, with production either used domestically, exported, or usually both.

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B-90 Kabuli Chickpea

Kabuli chickpeas are one of the few positive economic opportunities in the current agricultural market. Chickpeas are very "farmer friendly". Standard seeding equipment and combines are suitable for seeding and harvest. Chickpeas are very drought tolerant. They stand up very well for harvest with minimum shatter loss. They have very high nitrogen fixation levels and fit well in many rotations. Average yields for B-90 chickpeas in Saskatchewan in 1998 were in the 30 bu/acre range. There were a few yields over 40 bu/acre, a few low yields 8 - 15 bu/acre in drought struck areas. Late maturity as a consequence of late planting, herbicide damage or cool and wet growing conditions in isolated areas resulted in very late harvesting. Snow and high moisture eventually resulted in some bleaching and poor quality. Prices ranged ¢18 - 20/lb. ($10.80 - 12.00/bu) early in the season when most of the production moved to market. Producers were generally very pleased with returns and the agronomics of this new crop. The initial response of processors receiving this year's production has been very positive. They are looking for more. Australia's chickpea crop has been limited. There will be no carry over and we are next in line for production of the '99 crop year.

Seeding rate:                                              B-90 - Lower Seeding Rate

Seeding date:                              B-90 - Much Earlier Planting

In the high rainfall areas, 9 - 12 inches in June '98, B-90 demonstrated superior root rot tolerance resulting in good yields compared to devastation in some other varieties.

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