Open Access

ARTICLE

Liquid compost factor: a biologically derived seed treatment for increased grain chickpea production

by Robles-Hernández , L, AC González-Franco, SO Guy, WC Chun

1 Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Ciudad Universitaria s/n Campus 1, Chihuahua, Chih. C.P. 31310, México.
2 Department of Plant Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho. Moscow, ID 83843-2339, USA.

* Corresponding Author:Address Correspondence to: L. Robles-Hernández, e-mail: , phone: 52-614-4391844, fax: 52-614-4391845.

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2009, 78(all), 129-134. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2009.78.129

Abstract

This study presents the effect of Liquid Compost Factor (LCF) seed treatments on plant height in greenhouse trials, and plant density, plant height and seed yield of chickpea in field conditions. The greenhouse trials were organized in a randomized block design, while in field experiments were established in a factorial complete randomized block design conducted in Moscow and Genesee, Idaho, USA locations during 2003 and 2004. In the greenhouse, LCF 1:64 had the highest plant growth, and was statistically similar to LCF 1:110, LCF 1:128 and LCF 1:140, but different to the non-treated control. The orthogonal contrasts of LCF treatments vs non-treated control, LCF 1:64 vs LCF 1:110, and LCF 1:140 were significant, and LCF 1:64 vs LCF 1:128 was highly significant. In the first year of field experiments, LCF 1:64+Maxim+Apron had the highest plant density and seed yield followed by LCF 1:64 and LCF 1:128 in both locations. In the second year of field trials, LCF 1:128 and Apron had the greatest plant density; LCF 1:64 and LCF 1:128+Maxim were the best for plant height; and LCF 1:128+Apron showed the best seed yield in Moscow, while in Genesee LCF 1:64+Maxim was the best for plant density followed by LCF 1:128, LCF 1:128 and their combinations; LCF 1:128, LCF 1:64+maxim+Apron and LCF 1:64 had the greatest effect on plant height; and LCF 1:64, Apron+Maxim and Apron had the greatest seed yield. LCF seed treatments significantly increased plant density, plant height and seed yield of chickpea showing the potential of LCF to be used alone or in combination with Apron or Maxim as plant growth regulator.

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