Frost tolerance in chickpea
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop and its seeds are rich source of protein and fibre. It also contains micronutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium making it an integral part of daily diet of millions of people especially in the developing world. Globally, it is grown on an area of 11.5 million hectares with total annual production of about 10.5 million tonnes. Commercial production of chickpea is not too old in Canada. It started in 1990s and over a period of eight (1996-2003) years, its export ranged from 6000 to 150 000 MT in comparison to total world export 0.5 to 1.0 million MT. (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations 2005; Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food 2005). Now, Canada is among the top ten high chickpea producing countries.
This crop requires minimal inputs and can be grown successfully on semi-arid regions. It increases soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Chickpea like other leguminous crops is an important part of cereal-based intensive cropping system of western Canada, a way of additional income for farming community. Although, chickpea do not like heavy moisture but prolonged drought conditions adversely affect its production around the world.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop and its seeds are rich source of protein and fibre. It also contains micronutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium making it an integral part of daily diet of millions of people especially in the developing world. Globally, it is grown on an area of 11.5 million hectares with total annual production of about 10.5 million tonnes. Commercial production of chickpea is not too old in Canada. It started in 1990s and over a period of eight (1996-2003) years, its export ranged from 6000 to 150 000 MT in comparison to total world export 0.5 to 1.0 million MT. (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations 2005; Saskatchewan Agriculture
This crop requires minimal inputs and can be grown successfully on semi-arid regions. It increases soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Chickpea like other leguminous crops is an important part of cereal-based intensive cropping system of western Canada, a way of additional income for farming community. Although, chickpea do not like heavy moisture but prolonged drought conditions adversely affect its production around the world.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop and its seeds are rich source of protein and fibre. It also contains micronutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium making it an integral part of daily diet of millions of people especially in the developing world. Globally, it is grown on an area of 11.5 million hectares with total annual production of about 10.5 million tonnes. Commercial production of chickpea is not too old in Canada. It started in 1990s and over a period of eight (1996-2003) years, its export ranged from 6000 to 150 000 MT in comparison to total world export 0.5 to 1.0 million MT. (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations 2005; Saskatchewan Agriculture