Impact of integrated disease management (IDM) modules on growth parameters and yield attributes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was one of the first grain legumes to be domesticated in world. The present study was conducted at Student Instructional Farm (S.I.F.), Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, during Rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24. The research evaluated the effect of 14 Integrated Disease Management (IDM) modules on the growth parameters and yield of chickpea variety JG-62. The IDM modules included combinations of Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhizobium, and organic amendments such as vermicompost, neem cake, and boric acid, along with Salicylic acid foliar spray. The results showed that the treatment involving soil application of Trichoderma harzianum (2.5 kg/ha), seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 g/kg), and Salicylic acid foliar application (100 ppm) achieved the highest germination percentage (94.54%), maximum plant height (59.58 cm), and grain yield (19.22 q/ha). This module significantly outperformed the control (11.35 q/ha) and other treatments, demonstrating its potential in enhancing growth and yield through improved nutrient uptake and disease suppression. The study concludes that integrating bio-agents and organic amendments is an effective, eco-friendly strategy for sustainable chickpea production under diverse agro-climatic conditions.