The Effect of Soil Heterogeneity on the Content of Macronutrients and Micronutrients in the Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legumes currently grown. It is an important source of proteins and nutrients, such as calcium, potassium and iron. As a result, precise crop management is necessary for maximizing its production. The presented study deals with the effect of soil heterogeneity caused by variable contents of macro- and micronutrients on the uptake of nutrients by chickpea. The values measured (contents of macro- and micronutrients in plant samples) indicate that soil heterogeneity is an important factor for the contents of nutrients and soil reactions, which strongly affect the growth of chickpea. We investigated the soil heterogeneity in a chickpea field. Two zones (A and B) with different stand development were found in the model plot. Zone A showed a healthy (green) growth, while Zone B exhibited a yellow-coloured growth, indicating deficits in nutrient uptake. The contents of selected nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) in the soil and in the plant biomass (i.e., stems, leaves, pods and seeds) were analyzed. In the zone with the yellow-coloured biomass, the results showed significantly (p < 0.05) reduced contents of N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in the leaves; higher values of soil reaction (pH); and higher contents of calcium and calcium carbonate in the soil. The uptake of nutrients by the plants and their translocation were affected by the above-mentioned soil parameters and by their mutual interactions. Therefore, it is possible to state that soil heterogeneity (caused by variable contents of nutrients in soil) should be taken into account in the precise crop management of chickpeas.