Field evaluation of new Kabuli chickpeas lines for the production of canned seeds

Abstract

There is an increased demand for canned chickpeas worldwide, which has also resulted in increased chickpea cultivation in Italy. The availability of Italian chickpea varieties, suitable for industrial transformation, is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the field production of new Kabuli chickpea accessions and their suitability for industrial transformation. Thirteen accessions, provided by the International Centre for Agricultural Research of Turkey, together with ‘Blanco Sinaloa’, a commercial Mexican variety, were cultivated in Cesa, Tuscany, in 2016 and 2017. The average seed yield was 2.8 and 3.4 t ha-¹, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Increased yield in 2017 was attributable to a more balanced rainfall pattern, compared to that in 2016 which induced increased vegetative growth. Based on production stability over the two-year trial, the varieties FLIP08-69C, FLIP-160C and FLIP05-157C turned out particularly suitable for cultivation. The climatic conditions in 2017 favored an increased presence of a Grade B seed classification [220-250 seeds per 100 g (caliber 8)] which is preferred by industry. Most varieties showed potential regarding seed dimension classification, however, of the varieties with a good production, FLIP05-157C was also characterized by seed gradation stability.