Desi chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), lentils (Lens culinaris), narrow leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius) and field peas (Pisum sativum) were sown at three plant populations (10, 100 and 400 plants/m²) and three depths (2, 5 and 10 cm) at Lincoln University during 1999/2000. Lupins produced the most total dry matter (TDM) (972 g/m²) and lentils the least (468 g/m²). As there was relatively little variation in harvest index (HI) (0.54, lupin; 0.61, lentil), seed production followed a similar trend to TDM and ranged from 293 g/m² in lentil to 527 g/m² in lupin. There were a number of significant interactions. Pods/plant was the most variable yield component. It fell rapidly as plant population increased.