Resumen de Effect of different times and techniques of molybdenum applicationon chickpea (Cicer arietinum) growth and yield
José Benito Valenciano Montenegro, Victoriano Marcelo Gabella, M. M. Miguélez Frade
Molybdenum (Mo) plays an important role in increasing chickpea yield. In 2009, we studied the effects of different Mo application times and techniques on the response of the Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to Mo nutrition. Pot experiments were conducted under natural conditions using two different soils from northwest Spain and following a factorial statistical pattern (7 × 2) with six replicates for each soil. A treatment of 2 mg Mo pot�1 was added to the pots at six different moments, 1 to 6 weeks after emergence (WAE), using two different application techniques (soil and foliar). Both growth and yield were affected by Mo application, but yield was more affected than total dry matter. The response was greater in the medium acid soil than in the neutral-slightly basic soil. At maturity, plants fertilized at 4 WAE produced a greater seed yield, mainly due to an increase in the number of pods per plant. Foliar Mo application was more effective, and soil Mo application should be carried out earlier in the cycle. An interaction was found between time and technique of Mo application, with the highest yield being obtained when Mo was applied at 4 WAE using foliar fertilization
