Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Chickpea under Different Chickpea-Based Cropping Systems in Western Rajasthan, India

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2020-21 in Pearl millet – Chickpea, Clusterbean + Sesamum (6:2) - Chickpea system to study the effect of nutrient management practices ((1.) Recommended fertilizers (100% RDF) (2.) 75% RDF + 5 t FYM (3.) 75% RDF + 5 t FYM + Biofertilizers (4.) 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + Biofertilizers + Crop residue) on crop growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea. The results of the study revealed that the integration of 75% of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) with farmyard manure (FYM) and biofertilizers (BF) significantly enhanced chickpea growth and yield. This improved plant height, dry matter accumulation, branch number, and pod count, reflecting the synergistic effect of combining organic and inorganic inputs. This approach not only boosted the seed yield by 22.11% compared to the 75% RDF + 5t FYM but also matched the performance of the 100% RDF, offering a more sustainable cultivation strategy. These findings underscore the importance of adopting integrated nutrient management practices in chickpea cultivation, particularly in the arid region of western Rajasthan. Such practices have the potential to improve crop performance, increase yields, and promote sustainable agriculture in the area.