Moisture conservation and zinc fertilization impacts on quality, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) under limited moisture conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study the effect of moisture conservation and zinc fertilization on quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea in pearlmillet-chickpea cropping sequence under limited moisture conditions. Moisture conservation and zinc fertilization brought considerable improvement in quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use indices of chickpea during both the years of study. Chickpea planted under flat bed with 5.0 t/ha crop residue recorded significantly higher protein yield and total uptake of N, P and K during both the years of study as compared to flat bed without crop residue and flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. However, in terms of protein content during 2012-13 and soil profile temperature during both the years all the treatments received crop residue remained at par with each other and proved significantly superior over flat bed without crop residue. Planting of chickpea under narrow bed and furrow fetched significantly higher net returns ( 55,871 and 55,263/ha) and production efficiency ( 372.5 and 337.0/ha/day) and moisture use efficiency (12.34 and 11.05 kg/ha-mm) during both the years of study over flat bed without crop residue and flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue. Whereas, this treatment recorded significantly higher B:C ratio over flat bed with 5.0 t/ha crop residue. Under zinc fertilization, direct application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha significantly improved the protein content in grain during 2013-14 and protein yield, total uptake of N and P, net returns and production efficiency during both the years of investigation over lower levels. But application of 5.0 and 2.5 kg Zn/ha being at par with each other proved significantly better over control in terms of protein content during 2012-13 and total uptake of P, B:C ratio and moisture use efficiency of chickpea during both the years. Residual effect of zinc fertilization was also found to be significant on chickpea. The significant improvement in quality, nutrient uptake, profitability and moisture use efficiency were observed only up to 2.5 kg Zn/ha.

Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices and Zinc Fertilization on Nutrient Status and Quality of Pearlmillet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) under Rainfed Condition

“…Further, the grain and straw yields as well as harvest index increased with the increasing levels of Zn as compared to NPK alone. Choudhary et al (2016) find out that under zinc fertilization treatments, application of 5.0 kg Zn/ha to pearlmillet recorded significantly higher system productivity, profitability, moisture use efficiency and total uptake of N, K and Zn over the lower levels. Fertilization of pearlmillet with 4.0 kg Zn/ha resulted into significantly higher total uptake of Zn (235.41 g/ha) as compared to lower levels ( Table 2).…”

Effect of Zinc Sources on Nutrient Content and Uptake in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] under the Acidic Soil Conditions of Nagaland

“…This reduction in P content and uptake may be due to the increased in the concentration of zinc which hinders the P absorption and translocation from the roots to the plants due the antagonistic effect between Zn and P (Singh et al, 2012). Choudhary et al (2016) reported significant increased in K content and uptake in chickpea @ 5 kg Zn ha -1 which might be due to its higher availability in the soil leading to more absorption by the crop. The increased in the Zn content and uptake might be due to positive response to zinc application in the soil which increases its availability in the soil leading to higher Zn uptake by the crops (Raghuwanshi et al, 2017).…”

Effect of foliar fertilization with zinc and manganese sulfate on yield, dry matter accumulation, and zinc and manganese contents in leaf and seed of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

“…On the other hand, Mn spraying had the greatest effect on the increase in protein content of chickpea seed compared to other treatments so that Mn spraying increased the protein content of chickpea seeds by 12.69% compared to the control treatment (non-spraying). Research conducted by Balai et al, and Choudhary et al [38,42] showed that Zn intake could increase protein in chickpea seeds. They stated that Zn consumption as compared to non-intake treatment could increase the protein content of chickpea seed.…”