Influence of different levels of phosphorus, biofertilizers and farm yard manure on growth character and yield attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 to study the “Influence of different levels of phosphorus, biofertilizers and farmyard manure on growth characters and yield attributes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)” under Central U.P. conditions. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam, low in available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus, and high in potassium. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications, comprising three phosphorus levels (0, 30, and 60 kg P₂O₅ ha-1), four biofertilizer treatments (B₀: control, B₁: Rhizobium, B₂: PSB, B₃: Rhizobium + PSB), and two levels of FYM (M₀: no FYM, M₁: FYM @ 5 t ha-1). Results revealed that the application of 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ in combination with FYM and biofertilizers significantly enhanced plant height, number of branches per plant, nodulation, and 100-grain weight compared to control and lower phosphorus levels. The treatment combination M₁P₆₀B₃ (FYM + 60 kg P₂O₅ ha-1 + Rhizobium + PSB) recorded the maximum values for growth and yield attributes in both years. Although some interactions among treatments were statistically non-significant, the overall performance indicated a positive synergistic effect of integrated nutrient management on chickpea productivity. The study concludes that the integrated use of phosphorus, biofertilizers, and FYM is a sustainable nutrient management approach for improving chickpea growth, yield attributes, and soil fertility, thereby promoting eco-friendly and cost-effective pulse production under Central Uttar Pradesh conditions.