Nutritional food security is essential for the growing population of Afghanistan. Legumes, such as chickpea, lentil and mung beans are important sources of food protein. Enhancing production of legumes is a natural option to provide health to its consumers and employment to agrarian families engaged in its cultivation. While developing the breeding methods for new seeds adapted to Afghanistan environments must continue, evaluation of a number of already improved varieties was found an immediate alternative to the low yielding farmer varieties. Over nine locations during 2014-15 and 2015-16, seven improved chickpea varieties were evaluated in 86 farmer fields, one improved lentil variety in 68 fields and one improved mung bean variety in 70 fields. The improved varieties were coupled with the recommended crop production practices. Of the seven improved chickpea varieties evaluated over the environments in the study, Australia was found having highest average yield mean of 1127 ± 107 kgha-1(tested over three locations) followed by FLIP-92 (753 ±37 kgha-1) while Sehat (372 ± 136 kgha-1) yielded the lowest. Among the locations, Deh Sabz had highest yield level of 2341 kg ha-1based on FLIP-92 and FLIP-95. The lentil Kushak-1 showed an average yield of 573 ± 260 kg ha-1 and mung bean variety Mash 2008 yielded 538 ± 273 kg ha-1. This on-farm trial provided an appraisal of yield levels of the selected improved legume varieties. However, evaluation of new improved legume varieties is regularly needed through on-farm trials to provide an evidence-based recommendation to farmers.
on-farm trials, legumes, improved genotypes, food security, productivity risks
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