Effect of micronutrients and NPK consortia on nodulation, yields and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in vertisols

Micronutrient & NPK effects on chickpea in vertisols

Abstract

The present investigation was carried to understand the effect of micronutrients and NPK consortia on nodulation, yields and economics of chickpea in vertisols. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The treatments involved in the study were eight in number, i.e., T₁: Control, T₂: Zn @ 5 kg/ha, T₃: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha, T₄: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS, T₅: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + seed treatment with molybdenum @ 2 g/kg seed, T₆: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS + seed treatment with molybdenum @ 2 g/kg seed, T₇: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + seed treatment with NPK consortia @ 10 ml/kg, T₈: Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS + seed treatment with molybdenum @ 2 g/kg seed + seed treatment with NPK consortia @10 ml/kg seed. Results clearly indicates that application of Zn @ 7.5 kg/ha + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS + seed treatment with molybdenum @ 2 g/kg seed + seed treatment with NPK consortia @10 ml/kg (T₈) gave significant and positive effect on nodulation (total nodules, effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of nodules/plant) and yield parameters viz., pods/plant (72.88) and 100-seed weigh (23.10 g),  seed yield (18.99 q/ha) and biological yield (37.06 q/ha) as compared to other treatments. Similarly, maximum protein content (21.25%), protein yield (40.23 t/ha), gross returns (Rs.100447/ha), net returns (Rs. 68856/ha) and B:C ratio (3.18) was also noted under T₈ treatment. The chemical properties of soil (available N, P and K) also improved but not reached at significant level. Hence, application of 7.5 kg/ha + 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSO₄ at 30 DAS along with seed treatment with molybdenum @ 2 g/kg seed and NPK consortia @10 ml/kg improved the nodulation, productivity as well as economics of chickpea under rainfed conditions.