Assessment of the effect of plant growth regulators and nutrients on physiological activities of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under varying sowing dates

Abstract

The investigation entitled “Assessment of the Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Nutrients on Physiological Activities of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Under Varying Sowing Dates” was undertaken during rabi season of 2022-23 at Research farm of PGI, MPKV, Rahuri, Ahilyanagar, MH, India. The major aim of the research was to evaluate the different sowing dates and treatments in response to improve the physiological activities (chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis rate) in chickpea variety Phule Vikram. The experimental setup was arranged using spilt plot design involving two factors (sowing dates and treatments (foliar applications)) with replicated thrice. The main factor consisted of three sowing dates: 2nd week of November, 1st week of December and 4th week of December. The sub-factor included eight treatments (foliar Applications of PGRs and nutrients at flowering and pod filling stages): Control, Nanourea @ 0.2%, Potassium Nitrate @ 2%, Boron @ 0.1%, Kinetin @ 10 ppm CCC (Chlormequate chloride 50%) @ 30 ppm, Ethrel (2-Chloroethyl phosphonic acid 39%) @ 20 ppm and NAA (α-Naphthyl Acetic Acid) @ 10 ppm. The experiment revealed that the second week of November recorded maximum physiological activities (chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis rate) as compared to 1st week of December and 4th week of December. Foliar applications of Potassium Nitrate @ 2% at flowering and pod filling stages was effective for enhancement of different physiological characters such as an elevated chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance as well as net photosynthesis rate.