ANALYSIS OF VARIETAL RESOURCES OF CHICKPEA BY A COMPLEX OF ECONOMICALLY VALUABLE TRAITS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

One of the main tasks for effective chickpea production is to identify factors that can affect crop yields. These factors include the selection of varieties that are adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the growing area. It is important to consider the varietal characteristics of chickpeas and their economic value for successful cultivation. Chickpea varieties are characterized by economic suitability indicators, in particular yield, length of the growing season, plant height, height of the lower pod attachment, weight of 1,000 grains, protein content, resistance to lodging, resistance to seed shedding, resistance to drought, resistance to ascochytosis, resistance to root rot, and resistance to grain rot. The article presents the results of a study based on the analysis of chickpea varieties according to economic suitability indicators listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Distribution in Ukraine for 2025. In terms of yield, the varieties in the State Register were distributed as follows: Zehavit – 3.9 t/ha, Lara – 3.4 t/ha, Kira – 3.3 t/ha, Eva – 3.2 t/ha, Venta – 2.8 t/ha, Zodiac – 2.8 t/ha, Кozeroh – 2.7 t/ha, Octavius – 2.5 t/ha, Oven – 2.0 t/ha. The earliest maturing chickpea variety in the State Register was Lara (74 days), while the latest maturing varieties were Venta and Octavius (95 days). The maximum weight of 1,000 grains of chickpea varieties in the State Register was formed by: Oven – 475 g, Кozeroh – 440 g, Zechavit – 430 g. The maximum protein content in chickpea grains was 28% in the Zodiac variety and 26.5% in the Oven variety. The maximum plant height among the chickpea varieties listed in the State Register was 70 cm for the Venta variety, and the minimum was 53 cm for the Zehavit variety. The height of the lower pod attachment was highest in the Zehavit chickpea variety – 28.5 cm, in the Venta variety it was 25 cm, in the Eva variety – 22 cm, in the Kira, Kozeroh and Octavius varieties – 20 cm, in the Oven variety – 19 cm, and 18 cm for the Lara and Zodiac varieties. An important factor in selecting chickpea varieties for cultivation in specific soil and climatic conditions is their resistance to adverse environmental conditions. The resistance of chickpea varieties to lodging was 7–9 points, with the Kira chickpea variety scoring 9 points and Zodiac scoring 9 points. The resistance to seed shedding in chickpea varieties was 6–9 points, with the Kira chickpea variety scoring 9 points, Кozeroh 9 points, and Oven 9 points. The seed shedding resistance score for chickpea varieties was 6–9 points, with the Kira chickpea variety scoring 9 points, Кozeroh 9 points, and Oven 9 points. Resistance to ascochytosis in chickpea varieties ranged from 6 to 9 points, with the Zodiac variety scoring 9 points and Oven scoring 9 points. Research into the chickpea variety base will make it possible to increase the efficiency of chickpea production in specific soil and climatic conditions.