Vertisols are among the major high potential soils in Ethiopia covering about 13 million hectare (ha), but their
productivity is constrained by severe water-logging due to their low permeability. Surface drainage technologies have been
recommended and used for increased productivity. However, studies show that the performance of the technologies and
level of adoption is site specific. This study was conducted over locations in 2010/11 and 2012/13 in southern and
southeastern parts of Ethiopia, respectively to evaluate the performance of chickpea subjected to three land preparation
methods: broad bed and furrows (BBF), ridge and furrows (RF) and flat seedbeds (FB) and two sowing dates
(August 16 and September 3, 2010). Split-plot design with sowing dates as main plot and land preparation methods as
sub-plot with four replications was used. Land preparation methods significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced all agronomic
parameters except days to flowering and days to physiological maturity at both sites. The highest number of pods per plant,
grains per pod and grains per plant were obtained due to the use of broad bed and furrow, which gave the highest grain
yield of 2,593 and 2,585 kg ha-1, respectively at Taba and Chaffe Gugessa. These yield levels showed 204% and 204.8%
more than that obtained under flat beds at Taba and Chaffe Gugessa, respectively. The effect of sowing date was also
significant (P ≤ 0.05) where early planting improved the number of pods per plant, grains per pod, biomass weight and
harvest index at both sites. However, the percent crude protein content of grain showed variation over the experiment sites,
where high protein obtained at Taba due to late planting but due to early planting at Chaffe Gugessa. The interaction
effects of land preparation by sowing date were also significant (P ≤ 0.05) on days to emergence, height at maturity,
days to physiological maturity, number of pods per plant, grains per pod, biomass weight and grain yield. The highest
biomass of 6801 kg ha-1 and 6785.8 kg ha-1 from RF plots at Taba and Chaffe Gugessa, respectively. Grain yields of 2791
and 2776 kg ha-1 were obtained when the crop was planted early on BBF at Taba and Chaffe Gugessa, respectively.
Therefore, advancing planting date to mid-August and enhancing surface drainage using BBF significantly increased the
productivity of chickpea grown on Vertisols.