Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arntimum) is one of the major grain legumes with an inimitable sources of dietary protein in the developing world where there is very scarce animal protein or unaffordable expensive otherwise. Ethiopia is considered as one of the secondary centers of genetic diversity for chickpea. The crop has been grown for multiple purposes since antiquity in the country. Chickpea production under residual moisture is a common practice in the central highland vertisol areas of Ethiopia. The importance of the crop in the Ethiopian diet has also been significant. Despite the huge importance of the crop as dietary item and land improvement, the yield and production of the crops is still blew the expected level in Ethiopia. Thus, producing chickpea either under full or supplemental irrigation could help in improving the productivity of the crop to contribute in increased production in the area. Determination of the crop water requirement of the crop for this particular growing area is therefore paramount importance for proper planning of chickpea production using supplemental irrigation. In view of this, the crop water requirement of chickpea was estimated using the FAO CROPWAT 8.1 Software and long term weather data record where the planting date is simulated to be 24 December. The assessment has showed that the net irrigation requirement of the crop is 37.2, 114.4, 205.2 and 79.8 mm during seedling, vegetative, late (maturity) growth stages of the crop, respectively. The irrigation requirement of the crop for a single growing season as revealed by the program is estimated to be 436.7 mm.  

Key words: Chickpea, crop water requirement, vertisol.