Assessment of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024-25 at the Agricultural Farm of Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India. The experimental site's soil was sandy loam in texture, slightly saline in reaction, low in available nitrogen (315 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (22.3 kg/h), and high in potassium availability (398 kg/ha), with sufficient micronutrients. The study was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Nine treatments were investigated: Control, 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF), Vermicompost + Rhizobium, 50% RDF + Vermicompost, 75% RDF + Vermicompost, 50% RDF + Rhizobium, 75% RDF + Rhizobium, 50% RDF + Vermicompost + Rhizobium, and 75% RDF + Vermicompost + Rhizobium (Present Study). Chickpea variety RSG-888 was used as the test crop. The application of 75% RDF + Vermicompost + Rhizobium significantly improved the growth attributes and yield of chickpea compared to the control and other treatments. This treatment resulted in the maximum plant height (65.81 cm), dry matter accumulation (21.92 g/plant), and number of branches/plant (4.43) (Prakash et al., 2022). Furthermore, it recorded the highest pods/plant (64.65), seeds/pod (1.88), seed index (23.6 g), seed yield (2290 kg/ha), and straw yield (3980 kg/ha). The nutrient content (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in both seed and straw was also highest under this treatment. Economically, this combination yielded a higher net return and benefit-cost ratio. The findings emphasize the significant role of integrated nutrient management in enhancing chickpea productivity and soil health.