Influence of different levels of zinc foliar application on growth, yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under sub humid southern region of Rajasthan

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a major pulse crop of the Rabi season, belongs to the family Fabaceae and is widely cultivated in India, particularly in the rainfed regions of Rajasthan. This study investigates the influence of different levels of zinc foliar application on the growth, yield, and economic returns of chickpea under the sub-humid agro-climatic conditions of Southern Rajasthan. The experiment involved sixteen treatment combinations comprising four fertility levels (control, 50%, 75%, and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers) and four concentrations of foliar-applied zinc (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%). The findings revealed significant improvements in growth parameters such as plant height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation, and nodulation with increasing zinc concentrations. Notably, the treatment combining 100% RDF with 1% zinc foliar spray demonstrated maximum plant height (48.27 cm), dry matter accumulation (11.36 g/plant), and number of branches (5.60) improved significantly under this treatment. The enhanced physiological performance is attributed to improved zinc uptake and utilization, leading to better metabolic activity and flower retention. Given chickpea’s crucial role in food security, soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation, and as a low-cost protein source, foliar zinc application offers a viable strategy to improve productivity and profitability. This study underscores the importance of integrating micronutrient management into chickpea cultivation to ensure sustainable and economically rewarding pulse production in the region.