Effect of Mineral and Organic Fertilization on and Chickpea ( L.): Plant Growth and Production, Hydration Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity.

Composting is a strategic technology to convert organic waste into environmentally friendly soil improvers, mitigating the pressure on landfills and contributing to sustainability. This research evaluates the effects of different doses of mineral/organic fertilizers on two chickpea types: and . A randomized block design with three replications and six conditions was adopted: non-fertilized control, two mineral fertilizations (M1, M2), and three organic fertilizations (B1, B2, B3). M1 and B1 provided for comparable NPK amounts. Fertilization and variety significantly influenced plant growth and production, and seed hydration. Fertilization had a lower influence on bioactive compounds. The highest seed yields were obtained with M2 (30-40-100 kg ha of N, PO, and KO, respectively. An addition of 40 kg ha of PO (M1) had no effect on seed yield. B1 (10 Mg ha of Bio Vegetal) and M1 led to the same yield, which did not increase using higher doses of green compost. Mineral and organic fertilizations favored hydration and swelling of chickpeas. chickpea showed a significantly higher seed yield but a lower seed weight than . Organic fertilization, combined with the recovery of peculiar chickpeas, which are more productive and richer in bioactive compounds, promotes a more sustainable food system.