Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management practices on growth, yield and economics of chickpea in maize-chickpea/wheat cropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota (Rajasthan) during the winter season of 2008 and 2009 to evolve an integrated nutrient management strategy for chickpea. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 12 treatment combinations of FYM (0, 5 t/ha) P 2O5 (0, 40, 60 kg /ha), and sulphur (0, 20 kg/ha) replicated four times. Application of FYM @ 5t/ha, inorganic P 2O5 @ 40 kg/ha and S @ 20 kg/ha resulted significantly higher plant height, Branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of nodules, dry weight of nodules and hence higher seed, straw yield and protein content during 2008 and 2009.There were no significant difference observed within 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha The gross return, net return and B:C ratio increased with the application of FYM@5t/ha inorganic P2O5 @ 40 kg/ha and S @ 20 kg/ha during both the years. But highest B:C ratio was recorded under 60 kg P2O5/ha but it was on par with 40kg P2O5/ha It was concluded that for higher productivity, profitability and soil health, chickpea should be fertilized with 40 kg P2O5/ha in conjunction with 5 t/ha FYM and 20kg S/ha