Impact of biofortification of zinc and iron on growth parameters and yields of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through agronomic intervention in Chhattisgarh plains

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during Rabi season in 2018-19 at Instructional Cum Research Farm of IGKV, Raipur (Chattisgarh). To study the “Impact of biofortification of zinc and iron on growth parameters and yields of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through agronomic intervention in Chhattisgarh plains” The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with four replications. The experiment consists of two varieties viz., Vaibhav and Indira chana-1 and nutrient levels of different zinc and iron treatment combination. The significant variation was found in chickpea varieties and nutrient levels of different zinc and iron treatment combinations. The maximum plant growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches recorded under variety Indira chana-1. In case of different Zn and Fe treatment combination, the treatment RDF+ Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 at basal recorded maximum plant growth parameter viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of branches at 30 DAS and later stage of crop growth treatment RDF+ ZnSO4 and FeSO4 through foliar application at pre flowering and pod formation stage” at 60 DAS, 90 DAS and at harvest where as plant population showing non significant variation in varieties and different Zn and Fe treatment combination at 20 DAS. The maximum plant population recorded at harvest under variety Indira chana-1 and treatment RDF+ ZnSO4 and FeSO4 through foliar application at pre flowering and pod formation stage followed by treatment RDF+ Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 at basal. The maximum seed yield, stover yield and harvest index observed under variety Indira chana-1 as compared to variety vaibhav. In case nutrient levels of different Zn and Fe treatment combination, the treatment RDF+ ZnSO4 and FeSO4 through foliar application at pre flowering and pod formation stage recorded maximum seed yield, stover yield and harvest index.