Grain Yield Of Chickpea Research Articles

Influence of herbicides-based weed management in chickpea

Weeds are one of the most problematic factors for chickpea cultivation due to their negative effects on yield reduction in Iran. In the present investigation, new PRE-herbicide (flumioxazin) with different rates as IBS (incorporated before sowing), PRE, and Early-post with previously used herbicides were compared for controlling weeds and subsequently increasing in grain yield of chickpea. Results showed that PRE flumioxazin at rates 50, 75, and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyflourfen and flumioxazin + pyridate reduced total dry weed biomass 79 to 83.2%. These reductions (total dry weed biomass) were 59 to 73% by application of PRE flumioxazin at 50, 75 and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin + pyridate and pyridate in Kurdistan and 70 to 74.5% in Hamedan by application of IBS and PRE flumioxazin at 50, 75 and 100 g ai ha-1, oxyfluorfen, flumioxazin + pyridate. The grain yield of chickpea was greatest [Kermanshah (1489.5 kg ha-1), Hamedan (312 kg ha-1), and Kurdistan (2015 kg ha-1)] in PRE flumioxazin at 50 g ai ha-1 application after hand weeding. According to the results, PRE flumioxazin at 50 g ai ha-1 is the most suitable treatment to control broadleaf weeds and increase yield in autumn-sown chickpea.

Impact of Weather Parameters and Application Methods of Micronutrients on Dry Matter Production and Yield of Chickpea Under the Riverine Area of Bihar Region of India

ABSTRACT Weather and climate uncertainties significantly impact crop and food production, particularly in the Bihar region of India. Crop cultivation in this region faces significant risks due to several climatic challenges: rising minimum temperatures in the winter (rabi), extreme temperatures in the spring, intense rainfall, and extended dry spells during the kharif ;(monsoon) season. The growth and development of the plants majorly depend on the climatic and nutrient factors. The plant uptake and utilization of nutrients are surprisingly reliant on the weather conditions. Therefore, understanding the interaction of climatic factors and nutrient application methods is crucial for achieving higher growth and yield stewardship. A two-year field experiment was conducted from 2019 to 2021 in the riverine area (Diara) of Bihar, India, to evaluate the relationship between weather parameters and application methods of Molybdenum and Boron on the dry matter production (DMP) and grain yield of chickpea. Six different application methods of Boron and Molybdenum were tested. The study aimed to identify the ideal micronutrient application methods for chickpea production in the rabi season under the Diara ;(riverine) area. Results indicated that the combination of boron basal + molybdenum seed treatment produced the highest grain yield (1740 kg ha−1) and dry matter production (5.81 g plant−1) at all phenological phases, performing on par with boron basal + molybdenum foliar application for both years. Concerning the weather parameters, the correlation studies showed that all the direct weather parameters and agrometeorological indices showed positive and negative effects (p = .05) on DMP and grain yield of chickpea during both years. This study contributes to the development of site-specific application methods for molybdenum and boron, identifies optimal sowing times, minimizes the negative impacts of climate change, and maximizes chickpea production in the riverine (Diara) area of Bihar.

Effect of Herbicide on Root Nodules, Phytotoxicity and Economics of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The field experiment was done during Rabi season of 2011-12 at Agronomy Research Farm of NDUA&T, Kumarganj, Faizabad, UP. The fresh biomass and dry biomass nodules plant-1 (mg), branches numbers and grain yield significantly supreme was noted in weed free plot. Fresh and dry biomass, branches number was obtained statically at par with treatments pendimethalin 1000 g ha-1 PE, or fb quizalofop 60 g ha-1 PoE or clodinafop 60 g ha-1 PoE at 45 and 60 DAS, 60 DAS and at 90 DAS. The minimum Fresh and dry biomass, branches number was noted with rest all the treatments. Whereas drastic toxicity was detected tracked by oxyfluorfen 200 g + fb clodinafop 60 g ha-1 PoE and pendimethalin 1000 g PE fb imazethapyr 75 g + quizalofop 60 g ha-1 PoE, separately. The greatest drop in grain yield of chickpea were noted in PE application of pendimethalin 750 g tracked by mutual PoE application of quizalofop-ethyl 60 g + oxyfluorfen 200 g ha-1 at 35 DAS. The utmost net economic returns and B-C ratio were noted in PE application of pendimethalin 1000 g and PoE application of clodinafop 60 g ha-1 and PE application of pendimethalin1000 g and PoE application of quizalofop-ethyl 60 g ha-1 at 35 DAS and the net monetary returns and B-C ratio were in negative with application of pendimethalin 750 g PE followed by mutual PoE application of quizalofop-ethyl 60 g + oxyfluorfen 200 g ha-1at 35 DAS and PoE application of oxyfluorfen200 g + quizalofop-ethyl 60 g ha-1 PoE.

EFFECT OF KORRA (Setaria italica) CROP RESIDUES INCORPORATION ALONG WITH MICROBIAL CONSORTIA ON HUMIC ACID, FULVIC ACID CONTENT IN SOIL AND PERFORMANCE OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum)

The field experiment was conducted on the clay soils of Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi, Guntur between rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 to find out the influence of crop residues on soil biological activity, growth and yield of chickpea under rainfed agro-climatic condition ofKrishna zone. The korra crop residue was incorporated in the soil 45 days before sowing of chickpea either alone or in combination with microbial consortia and starter dose of N and P fertilizers as decomposition accelerators. Humic acid and fulvic acid assayed at different crop growth stages of chickpea got significantly increased by the application of crop residue along with microbial consortia. The drymatter accumulation at different growth stages and grain yield of chickpea were significantly influenced by the treatments. Among the treatments, the highest drymatter accumulation and grain yield of chickpea were recorded with 100 percent RDF(20:50:0:40) and was at par with the treatment T7, which received crop residue @1.5 t ha-1+ Microbial consortium@2 kg t-1+ urea 3 kg t-1 + SSP 15 kg t-1 of residue incorporated to soil during both the years of the experimentation. There was a significant positive correlation between humicacid and fulvic acid content with drymatter production of chickpea.

Host resistance by sowing date interaction reduced Fusarium wilt pressure and improved grain yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in North Shoa, Ethiopia

AbstractChickpea Fusarium wilt is seriously damaging chickpea productivity. To determine the integrated effects of three sowing dates and four chickpea varieties on epidemics of Chickpea Fusarium wilt and grain yield, field experiments were conducted in naturally infested soils at Alem Ketema and Enewari, Ethiopia, during 2018. Treatments were factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that variety Mastewal recorded relatively low mean Fusarium wilt incidence at Alem Ketema (15.344%) and Enewari (38.19%) compared with the other test varieties. Variety Mastewal also produced high grain yield over others at Alem Ketema (1155.14 kg ha−1) and Enewari (1120.91 kg ha−1). Related trends were observed for infection rate, area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), and yield components at both locations. Late August sowing resulted in higher stand count at harvest (132.08 and 102.08), number of pods (50.28 and 40.62), grain yield (1030.86 and 1122.08 kg ha−1), and lower AUDPC value (321.30%‐days and 540.34%‐days) than early August sowing in that order at Alem Ketema and Enewari. Interaction of variety Mastewal by late August sowing gave relatively high grain yield (1341.36 and 1331.85 kg ha−1), and it had low AUDPC (196.58%‐days and 483.36%‐days) at Alem Ketema and Enewari, respectively. Conversely, early planting caused up to 25.32% (Alem Ketema) and 193.67% (Enewari) yield reductions in chickpea varieties over late planting. Therefore, delaying sowing date and growing variety Mastewal found to maximize chickpea yield and minimize effect and progression of Fusarium wilt, and hence, recommended for the study areas.

Reconnoitering the capabilities of nodule endophytic Pantoea dispersa for improved nodulation and grain yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Microorganisms belonging to root and soil provide a wide range of services and benefits to the plant by promoting plant growth and controlling phytopathogens. This study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from the root nodules of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and determine their potential in improving plant growth. A total of nineteen different bacterial morphotypes were isolated from root nodules of chickpea and characterized in vitro for plant growth promotion abilities. All bacterial isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid at varying levels, out of which MCA19 was screened as the most efficient indole acetic acid producer (10.25µg mL-1). MCA8, MCA9, MCA10, MCA11, MCA16, MCA17 and MCA19 were positive for phosphate solubilization, out of which MCA9 was best phosphate solubilizer (18.8µg mL-1). All bacterial strains showed varying ability to grow on nitrogen-free media. Hydrogen cyanide, pectinase, and cellulase production ability were also observed in isolates, in which MCA9, MCA12, MCA17 and MCA19 were found best. Based on in vitro testing, five isolates MCA2, MCA9, MCA11, MCA17 and MCA19 were selected for further studies. Bacterial isolates MCA9, MCA11, MCA17 and MCA19 were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Pantoea dispersa while MCA2 as Rhizobium pusense. This is the first report on the existence of Pantoea dispersa in the root nodules of chickpea. In pot experiment, a maximum increase of 30% was recorded in plant dry weight upon the application of MCA19. Under field conditions, bacterial isolates, MCA2, MCA11 and MCA19 significantly enhanced nodulation and yield parameters of chickpea, compared to control. Pantoea dispersa MCA19 displayed the highest plant growth-promoting potential by increasing 38% grain yield. Our results indicate that Pantoea dispersa MCA19 is a promising biofertilizer for future applications.

Inductive Cum Target Yield Model Based Fertilizer Prescription for Chickpea Cultivation in North Western Mollisol

A field experiment was conducted in an Aquic hapludoll at D7 block of Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (29° N Latitude and 79°29’ E Longitude), as the per technical program of All India Coordinated Research Project on Soil Test Crop Response Correlation to study the effect of soil and applied nutrients on chickpea to ensure balanced fertilization. Response to selected combinations of three levels of FYM (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1), four levels of nitrogen (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1 ), four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of potassium (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg K2O ha-1) at different fertility levels of chickpea was studied. Basic data for fertilizer prescription was computed on the basis of soil analysis, nutrient uptake and grain yield. Nutrient requirement for production of one quintal of grain yield of chickpea was found to be 4.41 kg nitrogen, 0.62 kg phosphorus and 2.53 kg potassium. Percent contribution of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was 37.05, 72.16 and 35.61, from soil, whereas from other sources as FYM was 68.31, 16.15 and 37.20 percent; chemical fertilizer 160.01, 16.79 and 93.51 and conjoint joint use of chemical fertilizer with FYM 64, 15.57 and 95.22 in terms of N, P and K respectively. Fertilizer prescription equations were generated by these basic data. These fertilizer prescription equations are valuable for efficient and judicious use of costly fertilizers to improve farmer’s economic conditions.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Performance of Chickpea in Bundelkhand Region of North India

A field experiment was carried out on chickpea crop during Rabi season 2020-21. The experiments were conducted on heavy clay soil at Agriculture Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda. The experimental design was randomized block design with eight integrated nutrient management treatments viz. farmer fertilizer practice (T1), 100 % RDF (T2), 100% RDF + FYM (T3), 100 % RDF + FYM + Zn (10 kg ha-1) (T4), 125 % RDF + FYM+ microbial inoculants (MI) (T5), 100 % RDF + FYM+MI (T6), 75% RDF + FYM+MI (T7) and 50 % RDF +FYM+MI (T8), all treatments were replicated thrice. The FYM was applied @ 2 t acre-1. The experimental results revealed that application of 125% and 100 % RDF along with FYM and microbial inoculants increased significantly nodule number, nodule weight per plant and number of pods per plant, thereby increased grain yield of chickpea significantly in comparison to farmers fertilizer practice (T1), sole application of 100 % RDF (T2) and 50 % reduction of RDF along with FYM and microbial inoculants (T8).

Impact of Nitrogen and Zinc Levels on Growth and Yield of Desi Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L)

Background: Chickpea is the largest produced food legume in south Asia and the third largest globally, after common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) Chick pea is widely appreciated as health food. It is a protein-rich supplement to cereal-based diets, especially to the poor in developing countries.
 Objectives: Effects of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth and yield of Chick pea.
 Methods: A study was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen and zinc levels on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) var Pusa-362 under a Randomized Block Design with 9 treatments each replicated thrice. The results reported that the application of 30 kg/ha Nitrogen+15 kg/ha Zinc (treatment -9) recorded significantly higher plant height (58.40 cm), maximum number of nodules/plant (21.70), higher plant dry weight (24.0 g/plant), Maximum number of pods/plant (71.10), higher seeds/pod (1.80), higher seed yield (3.21 t/ha) and higher stover yield (4.31 t/ha) were recorded in (treatment -9) that is with 30 kg/ha Nitrogen+15 kg/ha Zinc.
 Conclusion: Based on the above findings of the investigation it may be concluded that treatment with 30 kg/ha Nitrogen and 15 kg/ha Zinc in all growth and yield parameters and in obtaining higher grain yield of chickpea These results are based on a single season, therefore additional testing may be necessary for further validation.

Act of phosphorus on cell hydraulic state, K+ use efficiency and induction of positive correlations between yield and vegetative traits in chickpea

ABSTRACT Salinity is one of the most severe factors that can affect agricultural productivity worldwide particularly in the arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones. Chickpea seedlings were grown in the field and subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 50 and 150 mM) and P application (90 kg ha–1). The experimental design was based on a completely randomised design with three replications. Salinity has disturbed the physiological and ionic state of cells by increasing stomatal resistance and significantly decreased growth and yield parameters (−66%). Under salinity, plant growth traits presented a negative correlation with yield components. P application had positive effect on growth parameters and physiological responses of the plants. Our results suggest that the tolerance of chickpea at (NaCl × P) combination is closely associated with ionic homeostasis and physiological activities of the plants. Phosphorus application allowed salinity tolerance by increasing leaf hydraulic statute, improvement of KUE and consequently enhanced grain yield of chickpea. (P × salinity) combination induced a positive correlation between vegetative traits and yield parameters like unstressed treatment. These results suggest that the use of suitable amounts of phosphorus fertiliser (i. e. 90 kg ha–1) to saline soil is a beneficial starter for plant development, yield components and rehabilitation of degraded soils.

Analysis of Screening Tools for Drought Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

Background: Chickpea is the third most significant food legume worldwide. While deeper rooting can increase water extraction, as it has been hypothesised for almost three decades. Therefore, understanding the regulation of leaf water losses in plant canopy, first when there is no water limitation and secondly when plants are progressively exposed to water deficit, are likely to be equally critical to roots for achieving high chickpea yield under terminal drought. Present study was carried out with an aim to evaluate the use of physiological traits such as canopy temperature depression (CTD) and chlorophyll content to determine drought tolerance of chickpea genotypes under varying environmental conditions.Methods: Trials were conducted in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 growing seasons at Gachsaran agricultural research station situated located in south-western of Iran. Chickpea genotypes were planted in two sets (each set had 3 replicates) by using a RCBD under two supplementary irrigation and rain-fed conditions. CTD measurements were made by infrared thermometer which was focused to 10:1 meter and at late morning to early afternoon cloudless periods (11:00 to 13:00 hours). Leaf chlorophyll content was measured at flowering and grain filling stages by using of a Minolta SPAD meter on 5-8 flag leaves per plot.Result: The CTD results in emergence of fifty percent of inflorescence stage and CHL in grain filling stage had high significant differences. The significant and positive correlation of DI, K2STI, Ys, GMP, STI, MP, Yp, K1STI showed that these indices were more effective in identifying high yielding genotypes under both conditions and result showed that CTD and CHL have played important roles to search physiological basis of grain yield of chickpea and CTD and CHL can successfully use as a selection criterions in breeding programs.

Trichoderma based biological management of major fungal diseases in pulse crops

Pulses are an integral part of Indian agriculture due to their multiple utility in human food, animal feed and soil health. India has the distinction of being the top producer of pulses in the world. About 8–10% grain yield of pulse crops are annually lost due to various diseases. Majority of the fungal diseases are soil and seed borne in nature therefore, difficult to manage by conventional management practices consisting of growing resistant cultivars and use of fungicides. Among the various types of biological control agents, Trichoderma species have been extensively exploited. They were found to be effective against large number of soil, seed and air borne fungal plant pathogens. The ideal characteristic features like high reproductive capacity, rhizosphere modification ability, survival ability under adverse conditions, nutrients utilization efficiency, aggressiveness against plant pathogens and promoting plant growth and defense mechanism makes Trichoderma as a successful biocontrol agent. Seed and soil application bio-formulations were developed from different potential species of Trichoderma to increase shelf life and efficacy. Pusa 5SD a seed dressing formulation and Pusa Biopellet (PBP) a soil application formulation showed longer shelf life. The efficacies of newly developed bio-formulations were evaluated in pot and filed experiments against several diseases of pulse crops namely, dry (Rhizoctonia bataticola) and wet root rot (R. solani) of mungbean and ckickpea, wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris) of chickpea and root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and damping off (Pythium ultimum) complex in French bean. T. harzianum based formulations were found superior over others against R. bataticola and Fusarium species whereas, T. virens based formulations were found superior against R. solani. A combined application of PBP 10G (T. harzianum) in soil and Pusa 5SD + carboxin as seed treatment showed superiority over any other formulations alone in reducing the dry root rot incidence and increasing grain yield of mungbean and chickpea. Soil application of PBP 4G (T. viride) and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum) + carboxin provided the highest yield attributing parameters with the lowest wilt incidence in chickpea. T. virens based Pusa 5SD and PBG 6 were found effective in reducing wet root rot and increasing yield in mungbean and chickpea. Seed treatment proved superiority over soil application for all the parameters recorded. Both the formulations (soil and seed treatment) showed growth promoting ability. During validation, Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum) alone and in combination with Vitavax power (carboxin + thiram) reduced the wilt incidence and enhanced the grain yield of chickpea at 8 different locations across the country. French bean seeds treated with T. harzianum based Pusa 5 SD + P. fluorescens provided the highest seed germination, root and shoot lengths, dry plant weight, pod yield and the lowest disease incidence. Further, combined application of Pusa 5SD (T. harzianum), PGPR strain P. fluorescens, M. ciceri and Vitavax power as seed treatment gave extreme protection to germinating chickpea plants with the highest grain yield and the lowest wilt incidence.

Efficient management of wild oat (Avena fatua) and canary grass (Phalaris minor) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) for higher productivity and profitability under irrigated condition

A field study was conducted during 2015-16 to 2017-18 on instructional farm of KVK, Panna under JNKVV, Jabalpur to evaluate the efficacy of clodinofop-propargyl, pendimethalin, and mechanical weed management of dominated weed flora wild oats (Avena fatua L.) and canary grass (Phalaris minor) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Clodinofop-propargyl was responsible for the reduction in wild oat & canary grass population consistently which resulted in the improvement of chickpea yield as compared to control plot. Post-emergence application of weedicide clodinofop-propargyl @ 60 g a.i/ha at 25-30 DAS effectively weed killing efficiency of wild oat and canary grass (86.9 and 81.25%) respectively, weed control efficiency 85%, weed index 39.1%, weed control index 92.8% and weedicide control efficiency 5.42% and their dry matter accumulation reduce 92.7% and increase the grain yield of chickpea 49.3% as compared to control plot. Under this trial cost benefit ratio was found 2.9 under recommended practices followed by mechanical weed management 2.5 as compared to control plot 1.8.

Variability and Character Association for Yield and Quantitative Traits under Late Sown Conditions in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Background: Among all the pulses, chickpea is the most important rabi crop with high acceptability and wider use in India. More availability of quality seed of improved varieties being made available to the famers is one of the most important factors contributing to better harvest of chickpea in recent years. Therefore, there is urgent need for developing high yielding varieties of chickpea employing sound and effective breeding strategies. The study of variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for seed yield with other yield contributing characters is of immense importance to get information regarding exercising selections for genetic improvement in chickpea.Methods: A total of 40 genotypes of chickpea were undertaken for present study and these genotypes evaluated in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (SKNAU), Jaipur Rajasthan, India under late sown conditions during rabi 2019-20. The experimental unit was four row plots of 4 m long and spacing between row to row was kept to 30 cm and plant to plant was 10 cm. The genetic parameters viz., mean GCV, PCV, broad sense heritability, genetic advance (GA), correlation coefficient and path analysis were estimated.Result: Genotypes revealed significant wide genetic variation for almost all the quantitative traits. Number of pods plant-1 exhibited highest PCV and GCV. The highest broad sense heritability (h2b) was recorded for days to maturity followed by days to 50% flowering and 100-seed weight. The 100-seed weight, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1 and primary branches plant-1 had positive genotypic correlation with grain yield. Path coefficient analysis depicted that among the 9 causal (independent) traits; number of seeds pod-1, number of pods plant-1, number of primary branches plant-1, plant height from ground to first pod (cm) and days to 50% flowering had positive and directly influence on grain yield. Therefore these traits can be taken into consideration while exercising selection for grain yield in chickpea.

IN VITRO AND FIELD PERFORMANCE OF SOME SEED TREATING FUNGICIDAL GROUPS ON GERMINATION, DISEASE INCIDENCE AND YIELD CONTRIBUTING CHARACTERS OF CHICKPEA (BARI Chola-10)

Low productivity of chickpea in Bangladesh is obtained due to different disease incidence and seed treatment by fungicides can minimize the disease severity. A laboratory and field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jashore, Bangladesh to evaluate the effect of some seed treating fungicidal groups on germination, soil-borne as well as seed-borne disease incidence and yield contributing characters of chickpea (BARI Chola-10). In laboratory the experiment was conducted in CR design and in field condition the experiment was conducted in RCB design with three replications in both conditions. Five fungicides namely Provax 200 WP (Carboxin +Thiram), Secure 600 WG (Fenamidone + Mancozeb), Rovral 50 WP (Iprodione), Bavistin 50 WP (Carbendazim), Captan 50 WP along with control was maintained as experimental treatment. The fungicidal group treatments showed significant variation among the parameters except days to mature. The highest germination (92%), plumule length (31.22 mm), radicle length (12.26 mm), Vigor index (4015.5), Percent disease reduction over control (84%), plant height (63.67 cm), plants m- 2 (31), pods plant-1 (81), grain yield (2062.7 kg ha-1) and the lowest days to 50 % flowering (65), disease incidence (3.33%) was found when seeds were treated with fungicide Provax 200 WP (Carboxin +Thiram). To reduce the soil-borne as well as seed-borne disease incidence and to increase grain yield of chickpea, seed treatment with provax 200 WP should be followed.

Assessment of Technology and Yield Gap of Chickpea in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India is a major pulse producer in the Indian subcontinent. The agriculture production, particularly, pulses have been playing a great role in strengthening the economic conditions and are the source of livelihood of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh state. The productivity of chickpea crop is low due to lack of adoption of best management practices of chickpea by farmers Keeping these constraints under consideration the yield gap and technology gap assessed of the region by conducting Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on best management practices of chickpea during Rabi seasons in the year 2015-16 to 2018-2019, respectively. The demonstration was carried out in six villages of Mahoba district. The results revealed that the full technological gap in 5 practices (variety, seed treatment, seed inculcation with Rhizobium, weed management practices and plant protection), a partial gap in 3 practices (seed rate, fertilizer management and irrigation) and Nil gap in 2 practices (land preparation and sowing methods). Further, Average grain yield of chickpea showed a remarkable increase (32%) in CFLDs compared to Farmers practice (check). However, it is still behind to potential yield. The average technological gap, extension gap and technology index were 8.10 q ha-1, 3.30q ha-1 and 36.6% respectively. The study recommends the improvement of productivity of chickpea may be achieved through fulfilling the gap between demonstration yield and farmers practice yield. Therefore, more effort requires to determine the socio-economic factors for practicing age-old practice and extension efforts needed to the rapid diffusion of best management practices. Further, The future study on variable climate conditions and edaphic factors requires to determine the gap between potential and demonstration yield.

Effect of soil amendment with Chenopodium album dry biomass and two Trichoderma species on growth of chickpea var. Noor 2009 in Sclerotium rolfsii contaminated soil

Sclerotium rolfsii is a soil-borne plant pathogen that causes root diseases in hundreds of plant species. It also causes collar rot disease in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The present pot study was carried out to investigate the effect of soil amendment with dry biomass of a weed Chenopodium album L. and two antagonistic fungi, namely Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride, on growth and yield of chickpea variety Noor 2009 in soil infected with S. rolfsii. The pathogen-contaminated soil was amended either with 1, 2, or 3% C. album dry biomass, T. harzianum, and T. viride alone, or combinations of either of the two Trichoderma species and plant dry biomass. The lowest shoot and root dry biomass and grain yield of chickpea were recorded in S. rolfsii inoculation alone without any soil amendment (positive control). Plant growth and yield were significantly and gradually increased over positive control with an increase in C. album dry biomass application in the soil. Likewise, soil application of either of the two Trichoderma species significantly enhanced plant growth and yield over positive control under biotic stress of S. rolfsii. Combined application of either T. harzianum or T. viride with 3% dry biomass of C. album also proved highly effective in alleviating biotic stress of S. rolfsii on growth and yield of chickpea.

Optimizing Boron Seed Coating Level and Boron-Tolerant Bacteria for Improving Yield and Biofortification of Chickpea

Boron (B) is a vital nutrient equally important for plants and human beings. The native soil fertility of arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan is very low where chickpea is grown on large scale. In such soils, B deficiency is the leading constraint not only for profitable chickpea production but also lead to low B-enriched chickpea grains. Boron seed coating and inoculation with B-tolerant bacteria (BTB) can be effective to improve crop response grown on such soils. Chickpea seeds were coated with different levels of boron (0.0 control; 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g B/kg). Coated and uncoated seeds were divided in two portions and half of these seeds were inoculated with BTB, i.e., Bacillus sp. MN54 while the other half of these seeds were not inoculated with BTB, i.e., Bacillus sp. MN54. Boron seed coating improved seedling growth, nodulation, seed yield, and grain B concentration. Crop response for such characteristics was further augmented with the inoculation of BTB. It was found that seed coating with 1.5 g B kg−1 along with BTB inoculation was the best combination to improve seedling growth, nodulation, and grain yield of chickpea. Higher concentration of B in chickpea seeds was recorded at higher levels of B seed coating (3.0 g B kg−1 soil). Boron seed coating improved grain yield by 9–25% compared with the control treatment. Boron seed coating at lower rates (1.5 g kg−1) along with seed inoculation with BTB Bacillus sp. MN54 seemed a viable option to improve nodulation, growth, yield, and grain B biofortification of chickpea.

Evaluation of different post-emergence herbicides in chickpea (Cicer arietenum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2018-2019 at research farm of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur to assess the effect of various post-emergence herbicides in chickpea. The results indicated that among different herbicides, post-emergence application of imazethapyr + imazamox @ 60 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 days after sowing recorded significantly lowest weed density & weed dry weight at 60 days after sowing and highest weed control efficiency at harvest, which was statistically at par with quizalofop-ethyl + imazethapyr @ 60+50 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 days after sowing. As a consequence of effective weed control, quizalofop-ethyl + imazethapyr @ 60+50 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 days after sowing recorded significantly highest grain yield, straw yield and harvest index which was significantly superior over hand weeding twice at 30 and 50 days after sowing. In weedy check, uncontrolled weed growth caused significant reduction in grain yield of chickpea. Net returns and B:C ratio was found maximum with quizalofop-ethyl + imazethapyr @ 60+50 g a.i. ha-1 at 20 days after sowing which was significantly superior over weedy check.

THE INFLUENCE OF ELEMENTS OF NUTRITION TECHNOLOGY ON YIELD INDICATORS

Based on the analysis of literary sources, the beneficial properties of chickpeas, as a valuable niche crop, were studied. The key directions of increasing the chickpea productivity level are considered. The advantages are given and justified and the main disadvantages and problems of growing this crop in Ukraine are indicated. It has been established that over the past 2-3 years, chickpeas have become increasingly popular, and can move from a list of niche crops to mass ones. This is due to climate change and the long droughts observed during these years. Turkish pea is the most drought tolerant crop among legumes. It has a very powerful root system, allowing you to economically use moisture. This explains its distribution in hot and arid regions. On the basis of own researches the results of studying the influence of foliar fertilizing and pre-sowing treatment of seeds on the formation of grain yield of chickpea as well as indicators of net profit and level of profitability. Significant effects of the studied technology elements on the main indicators of economic efficiency; it is determined that the change in the level of productivity, led to change of indicators of economic efficiency. It is established that at cultivation of chickpea, the most suitable conditions for the growth and development of plants and yield formation of seeds are formed by the application of presowing treatment of seeds and foliar fertilizing at the phase of glovanni and in the budding phase, the yield in this variant, averaged over the 2016-2018 – 2,92 t/ha. Growth to control for this variation were, respectively, – 0,96 t/ha (32,8%). The lowest net income and the level of profitability was in the control variant and amounted to 9000 UAH and 87 %. The highest net income and the profitability obtained during the pre-sowing treatment of seed inoculum Biomag Chickpeas and twofold foliar feeding of micronutrients Crop Legumes and built 17850 UAH/ha and 157 %, or 70% more, respectively, to the control. The structure of costs for 1 ha shows that the greatest costs were for the following categories of expenses: seed – 34.9 per cent., protection – 21.5 per cent and fuel and lubricants amounted to 15.3 %. A significant proportion of the costs necessary for other costs which include all depreciation and cost of maintenance and repairs of non-current assets General-purpose and so on. In the process of presowing treatment of seeds of chickpea, and foliar nutrition are promising for increasing the level of grain yield of chickpea that affects the economic efficiency of growing of culture. Key words: chickpeas, crop cultivation technology, biological potential, pre-sowing seed treatment, productivity, increase.