Effect of Phosphorus Levels on Growth, Yield, and Yield Attributes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Under Field Conditions in Central India

Abstract

Phosphorus application is essential for energy transfer in living cells enhancing root growth besides increasing the mobility of symbiotic bacteria in the root zone which ultimately results in more nitrogen fixation. It also plays a key role in pod filling and ultimately enhances the grain yield. Different planting dates subject the vegetative and reproductive stages of the plant to various temperature, solar radiation and day length. The investigation was conducted the winter seasons of 2024-25 at the Research Farm of the School of Agriculture, Sanjeev Agrawal Global Education (SAGE) University, Bhopal (M.P.). The experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of seven phosphorus levels T1(20 kg N, 65 kg P, 20 kg K), T2(20 kg N, 54 kg P, 20 kg K), T3(20 kg N, 43 kg P, 20 kg K), T4(20 kg N, 32 kg P, 20 kg K), T5(20 kg N, 21 kg P, 20 kg K), T6(20 kg N, 10 kg P, 20 kg K) and T7(20 kg N, 0 kg P, 20 kg K). The results showed that application of 65kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ was recorded significantly plant population (35 m2), Number of seeds plant-1 at harvest (45.66), Number of seedspod-1 at harvest (2.10), whereas significantly highest Pods plant-1(45.66), Seed Pod-1(2.10), Seed yield (2166 kg ha-1), straw yield (3396 kg ha-1) and Harvest index (38.95 %) was recorded with the treatment 65 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹. A notable and increased stover yield was seen with phosphorus application, which enhanced photosynthesis production and its movement from source to sink, resulting in a greater stover value.