Effect of drought mitigation strategies on yield and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2018-19 at Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna (M.P) to study the effect of different chemicals for drought mitigation on growth and yield of chickpea. The results revealed that Primary branches/plant was observed significantly higher in Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH2PO4 at flower initiation + 2% KNO3 at pod development (T9). Yield attributes viz., pods per plant was recorded significantly superior under T4: KH2PO4 2% at flower initiation + KNO3 2% at pod development (64.13) followed by FYM 5t/ha + seed hardening with 2% CaCl2 + Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha (T8) while, test weight was noted marginally higher in T5: Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha (208.3 g). Application of FYM 5 t/ha + Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH2PO4 at flower initiation + 2% KNO3 at pod development spray (T10) recorded significantly superior seed yield of chickpea (1805 kg/ha), which gave 218 kg (13.87%) higher with the next succeeding and statistically at par treatment T9: pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + KH2PO4 2% at flower initiation + KNO3 2% at pod development (1795 kg/ha). However, straw yield was found significantly higher in FYM 5 t/ha + Pusa hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH2PO4 at flower initiation + 2% KNO3 at pod development spray (3790 kg/ha) followed by pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + KH2PO4 2% at flower initiation + KNO3 2% at pod development (3362 kg/ha). Gross returns was noted significantly greater in T10: FYM 5 t/ha + Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + 2% KH2PO4 at flower initiation + 2% KNO3 at pod development spray (Rs 87006/ha) followed by T9 pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + KH2PO4 2% at flower initiation + KNO3 2% at pod development (Rs 85734/ha) while, net returns was found significantly superior under T9: Pusa hydrogel 2.5 kg/ha + KH2PO4 2% at flower initiation + KNO3 2% at pod development spray (₹ 59674/ha).