Effect of variety and zinc application on yield, profitability, protein content and zinc and nitrogen uptake by chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 201112 and 201213 at New Delhi, to study the effect of varieties (desi types Pusa 372 and Pusa 5028 and Kabuli type Pusa 2024) and levels of zinc (Zn) (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg/ha) on the yields, protein content, Zn and nitrogen uptake by chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.). Pusa 372 chickpea recorded the highest grain yield (2.13 tonnes/ha), Zn concentration in grain and straw (42.9 mg/kg grain and 36.8 mg/kg straw respectively), total Zn uptake (229.0 g/ha), protein yield (480.6 kg/ha) and pro- tein content (22.7%) in chickpea grains. Kabuli type Pusa 2024 chickpea had the lowest protein content (19.9%). Application of Zn significantly increased grain and straw yields, Zn concentration in grain and straw and its total uptake and protein yield, protein content in grain, nitrogen uptake and gross and net returns. It also increased the efficiency of applied fertilizer (NPK), being significantly highest (26.6 kg grain/kg applied NPK) with 7.5 kg Zn/ha and lowest (22.3 kg grain/kg applied NPK) with the control (no Zn).