Effect of harvest stages on seed yield and its quality in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Seven maturity stages on the basis of visual inspection of seeds by cracking open pods on each main fruiting branch i e., seed turn yellow to brown from bottom to progressive viz., (i) 50 to 60% (ii) 61- 70% (iii) 71-80% (iv) 81-90% (v) 91-99% (vi) one week after v stage and (vii) two week after v stage were studied in order to optimize harvest stage for maximum quality seed production in chickpea cv. Pusa 362. The maximum harvest yield, seed recovery, germination, seedling length, vigour index and least insect infestation during storage prior to sowing were observed when 91-99% of seed (around 21-22% seed moisture content) on each main fruiting branch have turned totally yellow to brown and rest seed on progressive top were drying down i e., turning in yellow. Pod dropping and weathering effect on harvest after one/two weeks field maturity were also pronounced. Therefore, these attributes need to be utilized for proper harvesting of chickpea crop leading to its high seed quality production and maintenance till the next season sowing.