Impact of Seed Rate and Nutrient Management on Growth Analysis of Chickpea under Semi-Arid Zones

Aim: To study the effect of seed rate and nutrient management on growth and development of chickpea.

Study Design: The study consisted of mechanized sowing at different planting densities as one factor which required a bigger plot size and second factor was nutrient management which is to be analyzed precisely. Thus as one factor (planting densities) need a bigger plot size and the other (nutrient management) required a more precise results with small plot size, suitable design for the study was chosen as split-plot design.

Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Main Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Methodology: This experiment consisted of four seed rates (planting densities with planter) imposed in main plots and seven nutrient management practices in sub plots with a total of 28 treatment combinations and replicated thrice. Data obtained on various parameters were analysed using WINDOSTAT software for split plot design.

Results: Crop growth indices viz., absolute growth rate, relative growth rate and net assimilation were found to be significantly higher with the seed rate of 52 kg ha-1 (321.4 mg day-1, 19.5 and 2.07 mg g-1 day-1) respectively. Among the nutrient management practices, 125 % RDF + Soil application of Microbial consortia (N –Azotobacter + PSB + KRB+ ZnSB) @ 5 kg ha-1 resulted in significantly higher values of all crop growth indices followed by 125 % RDF and 100 % RDF + Soil application of Microbial consortia (N –Azotobacter + PSB + KRB+ ZnSB) @ 5 kg ha-1 (256.5 mg day-1 and 17.1 mg g-1 day-1) respectively.

Conclusion: Seed rate of 52 kg ha-1 and 125 % RDF along with soil application of Microbial consortia (N –Azotobacter + PSB + KRB+ ZnSB) @ 5 kg ha-1 resulted in better growth and development which can be recommended for obtaining higher yield of chickpea.