Effect of sowing dates on yield and quality characteristics of chickpea varieties under Mediterranean climate conditions

This research aims to identify the appropriate sowing period and most yield for varieties of chickpea, which is one of the rare plantsthat can be an alternativefor grain farmingand of which thereno alternative in Mediterraneanclimate regions as well as more arid regions. The experiment was conducted during 2014–2016, involving five different chickpea varieties along with five different sowing periods and the yield and base characteristics were analysed. The study focused on yield elements, such as grain yield, nodule number, hydration capacity and C/N rates in the soil. The Sezenbey variety gave the highest yield both for normal years (10^th December sowing) and arid years (30^th October sowing) with 4050 kg/ha and 610 kg/ha, respectively. On the other hand, the Hasanbey variety had the lowest yield of 350 kg/ha and 110 kg/ha, respectively, in both years when sown on 20^thJanuary.