Farm406

FARM 406 30 • plant as close to May 1 as I can," said Diekhans. "This allows some of the worst weeds to come up so that we can spray them before we plant." Seed should be planted into well- drained but moist soil to provide moisture to get the plant started. The growing season of 100-130 days, depending on seeding date, is generally very similar to spring wheat. The mature pods will usu- ally have one to two peas but can have four peas. One pea per pod gives the best seed size, but two seeds per pod likely provide a higher overall yield. Plants reach 8 to 24 inches in height. Because the lowest pods are typically four to six inches from the soil, combining means practically dragging the header on the ground. To prevent hanging up on rocks, producers will roll the ground. Research has not certified when it's best to do this rolling procedure. Most farmers tend to roll right after seeding and before the plant sprouts. The rolling procedure will press rocks into the ground so that the combine header will slide over them. "I have found that it is much easier to raise chickpea crops when I used the proper equipment, such as a roller, flexible com- bine header, and a conveyer belt to load the chickpea crop onto trucks," said Diekhans. DISEASES Although the foliar diseases of gray mold, septoria blight, stemphylium blight, and white mold can affect chickpea, it is the recognition of ascochyta blight that caus- es the farmer to leap immediately into action. "This one disease is the big game changer for chickpea and makes it a risky crop," said Perry Miller, Ph.D., agrono- mist with Montana State University. To prevent diseases found in the soil from destroying the crop, Montana Ex- tension Service recommends a four-year rotation. Rotational planting is the first step to prevention but is no guarantee since spores have been known to travel great distances on storm fronts from infected fields to infect new fields. For the most part, a four-year rotation cycle usually allows time for most remaining foliar diseases in the soil to decompose. "Given the risk associ- ated with chickpea, there is some farm experience in the Golden Triangle area that suggests chickpea should be grown on chem fallow," said Miller, "but I have known of producers who have also done well growing chickpea recropped into wheat stubble." For these reasons, producers must know the history of their fields. GROWTH MANAGEMENT Because chickpea has not been grown in an area is not a reason to omit steps for preventing ascochyta blight. Once ascochyta blight starts ravaging, it will take years before a region can grow this profit- able crop again. Spraying a fungicide is a preventive measure. "Through our contract with Hinrichs Trading Company, we receive treated seed. In addition, we had been rotating. Even with these preventive measures, last year was the first time I had some ascochyta blight. I think it was caused by having more than normal rain. The plant stayed moist under its canopy and caused the blight," TOP: Montana Department of Agriculture map. ABOVE: With people becoming more con- scious of maintaining a healthy diet, the large kabuli chickpea has gained popularity in the United States, especially as the main ingredi- ent in hummus dip. Photo by Suzanne Waring

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