Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) is an annual legume and is key ingredient in hummus and chana masala. Chickpeas have been a staple for human civilizations as far back as 8000 BC in modern day Turkey. They are used in salads, soups, stews, and curries and be ground down to make bread, cake and used as a coffee substitute. Leaves of the plant are a substitute for spinach and have a higher nutritional content.
In Australia, farmers grow Chickpeas as a rotational crop as it improves the nutrients in the soil for the next sow season. They can be grown through the winter and take around 3-4 months to reach harvest.
Other common names include Garbanzo Bean, Egyptian Pea, Bengal Gram and simply Garbanzo. India accounted for 66% of the world’s production and imports around 80% of the Chickpeas of the second biggest producer, Australia.
Chickpeas are easy to grow, high in protein and can improve the soil for other plants nearby.
Growth
Cicer arietinum is a cool-season annual that is often grown during the winter season. The plant reaches a height of around 50 cm (20 inches). Chickpeas are sown directly where they will be harvested in moist soil. The sowing depth is much debated but Australian farmers have achieved the best yields at 5 – 10 cm. It takes longer to push through the soil but produces stronger thicker roots and a bushier plant.
During seedling stage, it is important to keep the surrounding area free of weeds. A fertiliser that is high in phosphorous will also lead to greater yields.
From seed to harvest the time taken is around 100 days. Here in Australia, we generally sow in April or May and then harvest towards the end of winter or early spring.
After harvest, the remaining stems and leaves can be mulched up and added to a compost pile or mixed into the garden. This greatly improves the nitrogen levels of the soil for the next plants.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5-40°C / 23-104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 50 cm (20 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 15 cm (6 inches)
pH:
6.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Wind.
MATURITY:
90-130 days
GERMINATION RATES:
65-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-10 days
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT CICER ARIETINUM (Chickpea)
Chickpeas have been found at Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (8500-7500 BC) sites in modern day Turkey. Chickpeas spread to the Mediterranean region around 6000 BC and to India by 3000 BC.
Some ancient scribes used Chickpeas to treat kidney stones, provoke menstruation and to increase sperm and breast milk.
Unlike other food crops, the perennial chickpea shows a remarkable capacity to change its nutritional content in response to heat cultivation. Treating the chickpea with a constant heat source increases its protein content almost threefold.
