EVALUATION OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) VARIETIES FOR YIELD TRAITS AND SHIRO USE QUALITY IN TIGRAY, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Chickpea is an important crop produced and consumed in Tigray region. However, its productivity is limited due to lack of improved varieties and poor soil fertility. An experiment was conducted to evaluate chickpea varieties for seed yield and yield related traits, and sensory taste for shiro use quality and protein contents. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design using eight chickpea varieties (4 desi and 4 kabuli) grown at Illala and Kara-adishaho sites in 2016 cropping season in Tigray. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in days to flowering and maturity, seed yield and 100 seed weight in the two sites. Variety Fetenech and Natoli had higher seed yield and 100 seed weight at Illala.  All the varieties matured early at Illala site, but matured late and had a higher seed yield at Kara-adishaho site. The variety x environment interaction was significant for most parameters. Sensory quality evaluation for shiro use preference revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in sensory attributes. Variety Fetenech, Mastewal and Natoli (desi), and Dalota, Ejeri and Habru varieties (kabuli) had higher preference score in shiro colour, mouth feeling, taste and overall rank. Seed protein content revealed significant (p=0.013) among the varieties. The desi type varieties had significantly higher protein content than kabuli types. The desi type Natoli (21.93%) had highest average protein content and all the varieties scored higher protein content at Kara-adishaho than at Illala. The desi  variety Fetenech, Mastewal and Natoli, and kabuli types Dalota, Ejeri and Habru having better seed yield and shiro quality could be recommended for production and scaling up in the region.