Chickpea Production Research Articles

ADOPTION OF IMPROVED CHICKPEA PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY BY FLD AND NON-FLD BENEFICIARIES

A study was conducted in three districts of Saurashtra zone viz., Jamnagar, Amreli and Surendranagar. Two talukas from selected districts and two villages from selected talukas were selected purposively. Total twelve villages were selected from selected talukas. From each selected village, ten chickpea FLD beneficiaries and ten Non-FLD beneficiaries were randomly selected as respondents. Thus, a sample of total 120 FLD beneficiaries and 120 Non-FLD beneficiary chickpea growers from 12 villages were considered for the study. The result revealed that three-fifth (60.00%) of the FLD beneficiaries had medium extent of adoption regarding improved chickpea production technologies. Whereas, 21.67 per cent had high and 18.33 per cent had low extent of adoption. In case of Non-FLD beneficiaries, slightly less than two-third (65.00%) were found in medium extent of adoption regarding improved chickpea production technologies, whereas, 24.17 per cent had low and 10.83 per cent had high extent of adoption.

Effect of Sowing Time Induced Weather Regimes on Growth and Yield of Chickpea under Irrigated Condition

A field experiment conducted to study the effect to find out optimum time of sowing and suitable cultivar for sustainable chickpea production in the region. The study was undertaken to find yield variation with extended sowing date. Five different sowing dates viz., 30th October (44 MW), 15th November (46 MW), 30th November (48 MW), 15th December (50 MW) and 30th December (52 MW) with two chickpea cultivars viz., JAKI 9218 and Vijay were studied. The varieties selected dominated chickpea cultivation in the region. The results revealed that crop sown on 30th October produced higher but statistically equivalent number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant and grain yield as compared to 15th November sowing. Crop sown on 30th October accumulated higher Growing Degree Days (GDD: 2012 day0C) and Heliothermal Units (HTU: 13515 0C day hr) closely followed by 15th November sown crop (GDD; 1975-day 0C, HTU: 13130 0C day hr) during cropping period from vegetative to pod-seed development phase. The number of pods/plant, weight of seed/plant and test weight was higher in cultivar JAKI 9218 than Vijay. Maximum GDD (1888 0C day) and HTU (12706 0C day hr) were accumulated by cultivar JAKI 9218 closely followed by Vijay (GDD: 1856 0C day; HTU: 12449 0C day hr).

Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic product characteristics related to protein source, health and environmental sustainability, on product choice and sensory evaluation of meatballs and plant-based alternatives

Health is cited as a major driver for substituting meat with plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). In contrast, many consumers are reportedly unaware of the difference in environmental impact between meat and PBMAs. This study determined relative effects of internal (protein source) and external (health/origin/sustainability) product attributes on product choice and (expected) liking of meat and PBMAs.Participants (n = 144) ranked ten sets of three product concepts from best to worst in a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Random combinations of four product attributes were presented on hypothetical product packages: i) protein source (beef/chickpea/soy protein); ii) health-star rating (1.5/4.5 stars); iii) ingredient origin (local/imported); iv) sustainability rating (green tick absent/present), and product worth, related to each of the 24 possible attribute combinations, was determined. Secondly, commercially-available beef, soy, and chickpea products were sensorially evaluated for expected/actual liking, both blindly and alongside combinations of internal/external product attributes used in the DCE.The DCE indicated all product attributes affected product worth. However, two consumer segments were established: i) a ‘Protein Cluster’ (47%) comprising consumers who chose ‘beef’ products regardless of the remaining attributes present, and ii) a ‘Health/Sustainability Cluster’ (53%) of consumers whose choices were driven by positive health/sustainability claims. Protein source drove both expected and actual liking of the samples (p < 0.001). Health/origin/sustainability also contributed to expected liking (p < 0.05), but only health consistently affected actual liking ratings (p < 0.05).In conclusion, half of consumers chose products based on health/origin/sustainability claims, whereas the other half selected products based on protein source. Origin/sustainability claims affected product choice, but minimally affected product experience of plant-based samples.

Rapid and High Throughput Hydroponics Phenotyping Method for Evaluating Chickpea Resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is a major constraint to chickpea production in Australia. Management options for controlling the disease are limited to crop rotation and avoiding high risk paddocks for planting. Current Australian cultivars have partial PRR resistance, and new sources of resistance are needed to breed cultivars with improved resistance. Field- and glasshouse-based PRR resistance phenotyping methods are labour intensive, time consuming, and provide seasonally variable results; hence, these methods limit breeding programs’ abilities to screen large numbers of genotypes. In this study, we developed a new space saving (400 plants/m2), rapid (&lt;12 days), and simplified hydroponics-based PRR phenotyping method, which eliminated seedling transplant requirements following germination and preparation of zoospore inoculum. The method also provided post-phenotyping propagation all the way through to seed production for selected high-resistance lines. A test of 11 diverse chickpea genotypes provided both qualitative (PRR symptoms) and quantitative (amount of pathogen DNA in roots) results demonstrating that the method successfully differentiated between genotypes with differing PRR resistance. Furthermore, PRR resistance hydroponic assessment results for 180 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were correlated strongly with the field-based phenotyping, indicating the field phenotype relevance of this method. Finally, post-phenotyping high-resistance genotypes were selected. These were successfully transplanted and propagated all the way through to seed production; this demonstrated the utility of the rapid hydroponics method (RHM) for selection of individuals from segregating populations. The RHM will facilitate the rapid identification and propagation of new PRR resistance sources, especially in large breeding populations at early evaluation stages.

Investigating marine Bacillus as an effective growth promoter for chickpea

BackgroundMicroorganisms have characteristics that aid plant growth and raise the level of vital metabolites in plants for better growth including primary and secondary metabolites as well as several developmental enzymes. Marine bacteria must endure harsh environmental circumstances for their survival so it produces several secondary metabolites to protect themselves. Such metabolites might likewise be advantageous for a plant’s growth. However, the effectiveness of marine microbes on plant growth remains unexplored. In the present study, we aim to evaluate such marine microbe both in vitro and in vivo as a plant growth promoter. ResultMarine Bacillus licheniformis was found positive for vital plant growth-promoting traits like gibberellin and ammonia production, phosphate and potassium solubilization in vitro. Due to the presence of such traits, it was able to increase germination in chickpea. As it can colonize with the roots, it will be able to help plants absorb more nutrients. Additionally, in vivo study shows that B. licheniformis treatment caused rise in vital factors involved in plant growth and development like chlorophyll, POX, phenol, proline, carotenoid, flavonoid, total proteins and SOD which resulted in increase of chickpea height by 26.23% and increase in biomass by 33.85% in pot trials. ConclusionMarine B. licheniformis was able to promote plant growth and increased chickpea production in both number and weight for both in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Response of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer kabulinum L.) Varieties to Seed Inoculation with Biofertilizers and Supplementation with Molybdenum

The present investigation was conducted during rabi season 2016-17 at ICARDA, Amlaha farm, Sehore to study the supplementation of Mo along with Rhizobium + PSB inoculation in chickpea cultivars on biological nitrogen fixation and productivity. Research title “Response of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer kabulinum L.) Varieties to Seed Inoculation with Biofertilizers and Supplementation with Molybdenum”. Six inoculants, with two kabuli chickpea varieties evaluated in Factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. The results of present study revealed The seed inoculation, I6Rh.+ PSB + Mo@1 g AMkg-1 seed was found best among other inoculants with respect to productivity and profitability in chickpea, and Variety Phule G 0517 produced higher values of growth and yield attributing .

Resource Use and Economic Potential of Chickpea Cultivation in Haryana, India

The study was conducted in Bhiwani, Dadri and Mahendragarh districts of Haryana during the year 2021-22. Budgeting technique was employed to draw practical implications and production function was used for measure the extent of resource use in chickpea cultivation for taking policy decisions to encourage its cultivation in Haryana. The Negative growth rates of area and production of chickpea was observed in Haryana during last two decades (2000-01 to 2020-21). In same period owing large replacement of area towards mustard and wheat. The gross and net returns of Chickpea cultivation in Haryana worked out were Rs. 75842 ha-1 andRs. 21550 ha-1. The value of B:C ratio was 1.40 over total cost. The Marginal value productivity (MVP) Value of Chemical fertilizer, plant protection chemicals, machinery and irrigation was greater than unity for Bhiwani, Dadri, Mahendragarh and Haryana which indicates that these inputs were underutilized in the respective districts and Haryana. On the other side, the value of MVP were less than unity for Human Labour and seed in all districts indicating that these resources were over utilized, needs to be curtailed for higher returns. The major Constraints faced by Chickpea growers were unavailability of improved varieties in local market (85.83%), Price realization less than M.S.P./underpricing their produce (80.83%), Non-adoption of package of practice/ low input used (75.83%) and high incidence of insect-pest (64.17%).

Plant growth promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus sp. BSE01 alleviates salt toxicity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by conserving ionic, osmotic, redox and hormonal homeostasis.

Soil salinity leading to sodium toxicity is developing into a massive challenge for agricultural productivity globally, inducing osmotic, ionic, and redox imbalances in plants. Considering the predicted increase in salinization risk with the ongoing climate change, applying plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is an environmentally safe method for augmenting plant salinity tolerance. The present study examined the role of halotolerant Bacillus sp. BSE01 as a promising biostimulant for improving salt stress endurance in chickpea. Application of PGPR significantly increased the plant height, relative water content, and chlorophyll content of chickpea under both non-stressed and salt stress conditions. The PGPR-mediated tolerance towards salt stress was accomplished by the modulation of hormonal signaling and conservation of cellular ionic, osmotic, redox homeostasis. With salinity stress, the PGPR-treated plants significantly increased the indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid contents more than the non-treated plants. Furthermore, the PGPR-inoculated plants maintained lower 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and abscisic acid contents under salt treatment. The PGPR-inoculated chickpea plants also exhibited a decreased NADPH oxidase activity with reduced production of reactive oxygen species compared to the non-inoculated plants. Additionally, PGPR treatment led to increased antioxidant enzyme activities in chickpea under saline conditions, facilitating the reactive nitrogen and oxygen species detoxification, thereby limiting the nitro-oxidative damage. Following salinity stress, enhanced K+ /Na+ ratio and proline content were noted in the PGPR-inoculated chickpea plants. Therefore, Bacillus sp. BSE01, being an effective PGPR and salinity stress reducer, can further be considered to develop a bioinoculant for sustainable chickpea production under saline environments.

Impact of Terminal Heat and Combined Heat-Drought Stress on Plant Growth, Yield, Grain Size, and Nutritional Quality in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea is the third most consumed pulse and provides a kit of essential nutrients for an exponential population. High temperatures and drought stress are two major abiotic stresses that cause serious effects on chickpea growth and development. The comprehension of abiotic stresses’ impact on chickpea productivity and nutritional quality will permit the selection of promising genotypes. The current study aimed to assess the impact of heat and drought stresses on plant growth, grain yield and its components, grain size, and nutritional quality in chickpea. For this purpose, 43 international chickpea genotypes were evaluated under normal, heat, and combined heat-drought stress conditions. The findings revealed a significant decrease of over 50% in plant height, biological yield, and seed yield under both stress conditions. Grain size and hundred-seed weight were the most heritable traits under normal, heat, and combined heat-drought stress. Proteins were accumulated under both stresses, evolving from 20.26% for normal conditions to 22.19% for heat stress and to 21.94% for combined heat-drought stress. For minerals, significant variation between treatments was observed for Mn, Mg, and Na. Our results also showed a significant impact of genotype and genotype-environment interaction factors only on K content. Using selection indices, 22 genotypes were identified as highly tolerant to the combined heat-drought stress, while eleven genotypes were heat-tolerant. Mineral profile analysis according to the contrasting tolerance clusters revealed decreased potassium content in susceptible genotypes, indicating genetic potential in the studied chickpea collection, ensuring tolerance to both stresses while maintaining good grain quality.

The cytoprotective co-chaperone, AtBAG4, supports increased nodulation and seed protein content in chickpea without yield penalty

Drought and extreme temperatures significantly limit chickpea productivity worldwide. The regulation of plant programmed cell death pathways is emerging as a key component of plant stress responses to maintain homeostasis at the cellular-level and a potential target for crop improvement against environmental stresses. Arabidopsis thaliana Bcl-2 associated athanogene 4 (AtBAG4) is a cytoprotective co-chaperone that is linked to plant responses to environmental stress. Here, we investigate whether exogenous expression of AtBAG4 impacts nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Transgenic chickpea lines expressing AtBAG4 are more drought tolerant and produce higher yields under drought stress. Furthermore, AtBAG4 expression supports higher nodulation, photosynthetic levels, nitrogen fixation and seed nitrogen content under well-watered conditions when the plants were inoculated with Mesorhizobium ciceri. Together, our findings illustrate the potential use of cytoprotective chaperones to improve crop performance at least in the greenhouse in future uncertain climates with little to no risk to yield under well-watered and water-deficient conditions.

Studies on the Efficacy and Management of Seed Borne Diseases and its Economics in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Background: Seed borne diseases are regarded as major constraints in chickpea production. Seed diseases are caused by biotic factor like fungi and abiotic especially by drought, resulted in decrease in seed yield and productivity. Hence studies on the efficacy and management of seed borne diseases and its economics of seed production in chickpea was attempted. Methods: The field experiment was carried out in Regional Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, Vijayapur during rabi 2021-2022. The field experiment consisted eight treatments of fungicides and bioagents and combi- product of fungicide and bioagents viz., T1: Carboxin 37% + thiram 37% DS @ 2 g/kg of seeds, T2: Carbendazim 25% + mancozeb 50% WS @ 3.5 g/kg of seed, T3: Thiophanatemethyl 45% + pyraclostrobin 5% FS @ 4 ml /kg of seeds, T4: Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10/kg of seed, T5: Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum @ 10/kg of seed, T6: Seed treatment with Bacillus thuringenesis @ 10/kg of seed, T7: Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum @ 10/kg of seed + carbendazim 25% + mancozeb 50% WS @ 3.5 g/kg of seed T8: Control (without seed treatment) were used to study the efficacy of treatments on growth yield and economics and per cent incidence against R. bataticola in field condition. Result: Among the seed treatments carbendazim 25% + mancozeb 50% WS @ 3.5 g/kg of seed recorded significantly higher growth, seed yield, seed quality parameters and reduced per cent disease incidence and higher economics followed bythiophanatemethy 45% + pyraclostrobin 5% FS @ 4 ml/kg of seeds, as compared to control.

Symbiotic effectiveness, abiotic stress tolerance and phosphate solubilizing ability of new chickpea root-nodule bacteria from soils in Kununurra Western Australia and Narrabri New South Wales Australia

AimsTo assess the symbiotic effectiveness, tolerance to abiotic stress factors and phosphate solubilizing ability of new chickpea root-nodule bacteria.MethodsSymbiotic effectiveness, abiotic stress tolerance and phosphate solubilizing ability of ten new chickpea rhizobial strains collected from soils were evaluated using laboratory and glasshouse experiments.ResultsSix of the ten strains were symbiotically efficient with diversity between those and the commercial chickpea strain CC1192. High temperatures significantly affected strain survival in liquid and peat carrier. Peat carrier offered greater protection. Above 37 °C, strain infectivity decreased with no correlation between strain origin and their infectivity after exposure. Three of the new strains and CC1192 produced optimum growth and survival at pH 6.8 and at two lower pH’s of 4.4 and 5.4 were able to neutralize the growth medium while the other seven strains at high pH were able to either neutralize or acidify the growth medium. Strain survival was significantly higher at increased salt concentrations of NaCl compared to CaCl2. At 3% NaCl concentration, 8 strains survived while at 3% CaCl2 only 3 survived. Many strains were resistant to more than one antibiotic. All strains were able to solubilize phosphate. The ratio between the most efficient strain and the least was 3:1.ConclusionsChickpea rhizobia strains sourced from soils in Narrabri New South Wales and Kununurra in Western Australia differed in expressed traits from the commercial strain CC1192. These unique traits could provide additional tools for rhizobial strain selection to benefit chickpea production in different soil environments.

Fe and Zn-loaded cotton-sticks biochar and organic amendments improves chickpea production by enhancing ionic uptake and chemical properties of sandy soils

Fe and Zn-loaded cotton-sticks biochar and organic amendments improves chickpea production by enhancing ionic uptake and chemical properties of sandy soils

EFFECT OF KORRA (Setaria italica) CROP RESIDUES INCORPORATION ALONG WITH MICROBIAL CONSORTIA ON HUMIC ACID, FULVIC ACID CONTENT IN SOIL AND PERFORMANCE OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum)

The field experiment was conducted on the clay soils of Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi, Guntur between rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 to find out the influence of crop residues on soil biological activity, growth and yield of chickpea under rainfed agro-climatic condition ofKrishna zone. The korra crop residue was incorporated in the soil 45 days before sowing of chickpea either alone or in combination with microbial consortia and starter dose of N and P fertilizers as decomposition accelerators. Humic acid and fulvic acid assayed at different crop growth stages of chickpea got significantly increased by the application of crop residue along with microbial consortia. The drymatter accumulation at different growth stages and grain yield of chickpea were significantly influenced by the treatments. Among the treatments, the highest drymatter accumulation and grain yield of chickpea were recorded with 100 percent RDF(20:50:0:40) and was at par with the treatment T7, which received crop residue @1.5 t ha-1+ Microbial consortium@2 kg t-1+ urea 3 kg t-1 + SSP 15 kg t-1 of residue incorporated to soil during both the years of the experimentation. There was a significant positive correlation between humicacid and fulvic acid content with drymatter production of chickpea.

Exploitation of indigenous fluorescent pseudomonads for the management of wilt of chickpea caused by &lt;i&gt;Fusarium oxysporum&lt;/i&gt; f. sp. &lt;i&gt;ciceris&lt;/i&gt;

Chickpea wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is a devastating soil-borne disease with a significant impact on yields and affecting chickpea production worldwide. Fluorescent pseudomonads are utilized as effective biocontrol agents (BCA) against a variety of phytopathogens and they play a key role in pathogen suppression through various processes. In the present study, twenty indigenous fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from twenty soil samples collected from different districts of North Eastern Karnataka. The isolates were tested in vitro for their ability to resist the pathogen by using a dual culture approach. Further, morphological and biochemical characters were studied by growing these isolates on King’s B agar medium. All twenty isolates showed inhibition of the test pathogen, with isolate PF-19 showing the highest inhibition of 88.89%. All the isolates developed slimy, irregular colonies with light yellowish green pigmentation, fluorescence under UV light and rod-shaped cells under the microscope, as well as gram negative in reaction. All isolates except PF-2, Pf-9 and PF-10 revealed positive results for KOH, catalase, gelatin liquefaction and starch hydrolysis.

Bacillus valezensis: A New Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterium for Plant Growth Promotion and Inhibition of Rhizoctonia bataticola for the Management of Dry Root Rot of Chickpea

Background: Chickpea production is threatened by dry root rot disease in recent years. The disease is caused by soil borne fungus Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub) Butler with its pycnidial stage Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Bacillus spp. is a rod shaped and gram negative rhizobacterium which is predominant in the soil. Hence, considering the economic importance of disease, the present investigation was carried out to repress the pathogen by using indigenous Bacillus spp. strains related to antagonistic potential and plant growth promoting traits Methods: Thirty indigenous bacterial PGPR strains were isolated from healthy rhizospheric soil samples of chickpea and their antagonistic potential was studied. Later, the potential ones were examined for plant growth promoting traits. The promising strains were identified at molecular level 16S rDNA. Results: All thirty PGPR strains of rhizospharic Bacillus were potentiality antagonistic against R. bataticola and nine strains showed more than 50 per cent inhibition of the pathogen. Out of nine strains, four strains recorded more growth promoting traits and they were identified at molecular level as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus subtilis sub sp. Subtilis. Bacillus valezensis is a new report on rhizosphaeric PGPR against R. bataticola in chickpea.

Role of Biofertilizers in Chickpea: A Review

Compared to when both rhizobium and the bacteria that solubilize phosphate are inoculated separately, the interaction effect between the two inoculations gradually increases the growth parameters and yield production. Rhizobium and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) had shown advantage in enhancing chickpea productivity, cost effective, ecofriendly and renewable sources of plant nutrients. Biofertilizers have the ability to improve the growth and nodulation of chickpea enables it to withstand the periods of drought. Utilising Rhizobium's symbiotic properties to increase the nitrogen supply to agricultural plants.

Factors affecting the use of improved chickpea seed among smallholder farmers in &lt;em&gt;Gondar Zuria Woreda&lt;/em&gt;, Ethiopia

Purpose: The use of improved seeds is one of the most important factors among the others to increase the production and productivity of crops. However, the use of improved chickpea seeds by smallholder farmers remains low. These resulted in lower productivity of chickpea by smallholder farmers. The factors contributing to the low rate of use of improved chickpea seed in the study area are to be analyzed. Research Method: To achieve the objective of the study, a multi-stage sampling technique was employed. The sample size was determined using the Yamane formula, and 140 sampled households were randomly selected. A proportionate sample of the population was used to determine the size of sample from each kebele . These data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. Findings: The results revealed that 55.71% of respondents are users of improved chickpea seeds. The logistic regression result shows that the use of improved chickpea seed by smallholder farmers is determined by the availability and price of improved seeds, size of land holdings, participation in a field visit, frequency of extension service, proximity to the market, and attractiveness of the market price. The marginal effect result indicates that a unit change in access to improved seeds, participation in a field visit, land size, and seed cost increases the probability of using improved chickpea seed by 40.76%, 11.86%, 11.26%, and 4.27% respectively, among others. Research Limitations: The study was conducted in one geographical area using cross-sectional data. This finding does not show the trends of adoption in the study area or its implications in different parts of the region. Originality/Value: The findings of the study are novel and relatively new to the given geographical area. This study reported specific and new findings on factors that affect the use of improved chickpea seeds in the study area. The findings are important as a source of information for decision-makers, development practitioners, and researchers.

Amelioration of Abiotic Stress and Climate Change Resilience in Chickpea

Chickpea, an important legume crop high in protein mostly grown under rainfed circumstances in arid and semi-arid climates, where it is extremely subject to abiotic stresses like drought, terminal stress, temperature, water logging at different growth stages throughout the season linked to severe yield losses, particularly when the crop is subjected to unfavorable conditions during the reproductive period, leading to instability in chickpea production around the world. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies employed for ameliorating abiotic stress and enhancing climate change resilience in chickpea. It examines the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of chickpea plants to abiotic stress and explores the underlying mechanisms involved in stress tolerance. The review highlights the importance of understanding the genetic basis of stress tolerance traits and emphasizes the potential for genetic improvement through breeding and genetic engineering approaches. It examines the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of chickpea plants to abiotic stress and explores the underlying mechanisms involved in stress tolerance. It discusses the identification of stress-responsive genes, proteins, and metabolites, which can serve as potential targets for crop improvement and the development of stress-tolerant chickpea varieties. In conclusion, this comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the amelioration of abiotic stress and climate change resilience in chickpea. It synthesizes current knowledge, identifies research gaps, and offers practical recommendations for sustainable chickpea production under challenging environmental conditions.

Impact of metribuzin dose and water stress on chickpea plant health

Chickpea is an important rotational pulse crop for Saskatchewan field crops. Since 2019, Saskatchewan chickpea production has suffered from a plant health issue following rainfall events around flowering to early podding resulting in apical wilting and eventual branch death. Post-emergence broadleaf weed management in chickpea relies on metribuzin, which can result in variable injury in chickpea. The study objective was to evaluate the effect of metribuzin dose and water stress on chickpea health in the greenhouse. At two weeks after treatment (WAT), chickpea mortality reached 25% for 206 g ai ha−1 (label rate) metribuzin dose and 56% for 413 g ha−1 dose, respectively. Maximum chickpea vegetative chlorosis and necrosis was 81% for the 413 g ha−1 metribuzin treatment and 65% for the 206 g ha−1 treatment. Chickpea longest branch length was reduced from 34 to 26 cm at 8 WAT with the 206 g ha−1 metribuzin treatment. Three weeks of permitting the soil to reach the wilting point and induce symptoms reduced chickpea longest branch length from 38 to 24 cm by 8 WAT. Chickpea pod production was reduced by 75% with the 206 g ha−1 metribuzin treatment and 90% with the water stress regime. Metribuzin at labeled dosing in Saskatchewan induced plant death and considerable vegetative necrosis when evaluated in the greenhouse.