Influence of biofortification of zinc and iron on yield and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation “Influence of biofortification of zinc and iron on yield and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was carried out during Rabi season in 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Instructional Cum Research Farm of IGKV, Raipur (Chhattisgarh). The soil of experimental field was clayey (Vertisols) in texture, locally known as “Kanhar” which was low, medium and high in available N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively. The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with four replications. The experiment consists of two genotypes and six different nutrient levels treatment combinations. It was found significantly difference between both genotypes and all nutrient levels treatment. The chickpea genotype Indira chana-1was found significantly higher in seed yield, stover yield, harvest index, gross return, net return and B:C Ratio over the genotype Vaibhav during both the years and on mean basis except stover yield (2016-17) and harvest index (2017-18). In all nutrient levels treatment is significantly difference except stover yield during both the years and on mean basis. Treatment RDF (20:50:20) + 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.1% FeSO4 through foliar application in pre flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly highest in seed yield, stover yield, harvest index, gross return, net return and B:C Ratio over all nutrient levels treatment followed by treatment RDF (20:50:20) + Soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha at basal and lowest in RDF (20:50:20) (Standard control) during both the years and on mean basis.