Evaluation of chickpea genotypes in Cerrado conditions in the South of the state of Tocantins

Abstract

The chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) has potential for cultivation in the Brazilian cerrado region, its sowing supplies both the domestic market and exports, bringing benefits to the economy. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate morphophysiological and yield parameters in six genotypes of chickpeas with different genetic basis, which make it possible to select materials suitable for commercial cultivation under the conditions of the cerrado in the south of the state of Tocantins. Six treatments were used to carry out the experiment, each one characterized by one of the following: BRS Cícero; BRS Aleppo; BRS Khalifa; BRS Cristalino; Jamu 96 and BRS Toro. To define the best genotypes, morphophysiological characteristics of the crop were evaluated, namely: grain yield, weight of a thousand grains, plant height, number of days until flowering, number of days until maturation, chlorophyll a and b index, internal concentration of CO2, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration. The cultivation of chickpeas in the cerrado is viable for the region. The Jamu 96 genotype stands out among the others, in the main morphophysiological characteristics, being the one that obtained the highest production averages. The genotypes BRS Cícero, BRS Aleppo and BRS Khalifa showed potential for improvement in production, due to their thousand-grain weight being similar to Jamu 96, making evident the need for genetic improvement in order to obtain genotypes more adapted to the soil and climate conditions of southern Brazil. Tocantins, making them more adapted to the region and thus increasing the production potential.