Chick pea : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the post-graduate Diploma in Agricultural Science in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

Chick pea is an important crop with a long history. It has been cultivated in the east Mediterranean region since prehistoric times. It is a short season crop, responsive to photoperiod, with the nitrogen nutrition of a legume in protein with diverse uses.

Chick peas are grown under different farming systems, either as monocrops or mixed crops. Breeding may also need to consider the needs of farming systems. Nutritionally, chick peas are excellent sources of high quality protein, carbohydrate and energy, both to man and his stock.

It is therefore necessary to breed high-yielding strains of chick peas, combined with the development of appropriate agricultural technology. Improved genotypes and package of practices will make chick peas economically competitive with other major crops and make them a source of cheap protein, food energy and nutrients.