EFFECTS OF SEED DETERIORATION AND INOCULATION WITH Mesorhizobium ciceri ON CHICKPEA PLANT PERFORMANCE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Deterioration of seeds during storage can cause significant declines in seedling vigor and crop yield, particularly in less developed regions. This project compared seedling vigor and field performance of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cultivars (Arman and Hashem), subjected to 0 (control), 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of deterioration (DOD) in 40°C storage. Percent seed germination, radical length, seedling length, root weight and seedling weight were recorded. Seeds of both varieties declined in germination and growth with increasing deterioration. Seed germination and growth declined with increasing storage, and germination was zero after 21 or 28, DOD