The effect of plant density on the growth and harvest index of branches in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

We tested the idea that variation in density stress in stands of chickpea would affect
interbranch competition and hence offer scope for increasing seed yields by modifying crop morphology so as to affect the harvest index of individual branches, which collectively determine crop harvest index and yield. Data on the performance of branches are seldom collected, but may provide useful information, on which a new high yielding ideotype could be based.