Enhancing Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties through Foliar Application of Micronutrients under Field Condition

Abstract

Extensively, it is imperative to address the pervasive issue of nutrient deficiencies among humans and animals in numerous underdeveloped regions. To tackle this challenge, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of foliar applications of Zinc, Boron, and Iron on the growth, yield attributes, and overall yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties during the Rabi seasons of both 2018-19 and 2019-20. The field experiment was meticulously designed using a Split Plot Design, wherein three distinct chickpea varieties (V1-KGD-1168, V2-Radhey, and V3-KWR-108) were assigned to the main plots. The subplots were dedicated to seven micronutrient treatment combinations, namely (M1-Control), (M2-Zinc @ 0.5%), (M3-Boron @ 0.2%), (M4-Iron @ 0.1%), (M5-Zinc @ 0.5% + Boron @ 0.2%), (M6-Zinc @ 0.5% + Iron @ 0.1%), and (M7: Zinc @ 0.5% + Boron @ 0.2% + Iron @ 0.1%). Consequently, a total of 21 treatment combinations were meticulously replicated three times. The findings of the experiment unveiled that the Radhey variety significantly influenced various parameters, including plant height, the number of branches per plant, fresh plant weight, 100-seed weight (17.21, 17.25g), seed yield (2118, 2228 kg ha-1), gross return (112396, 113628 INR ha-1), net return (83154, 83616 INR ha-1), and the benefit-to-cost ratio (B: C ratio) (2.84, 2.79) of chickpea for both the years 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Regarding the micronutrient treatments, the foliar application of Zinc @ 0.5% + Boron @ 0.2% + Iron @ 0.1% exhibited a notably positive impact on plant height, the number of branches per plant, fresh plant weight, 100-seed weight (16.94, 16.97g), seed yield (2162, 2276 kg ha-1), gross return (114634, 116076 INR ha-1), net return (85041, 85712 INR ha-1), and B: C ratio (2.87, 2.82) of chickpea during both the years 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. Based on these compelling results, farmers are strongly advised to cultivate the Radhey variety of chickpea while implementing foliar applications of Zinc @ 0.5% + Boron @ 0.2% + Iron @ 0.1% for enhanced growth and higher yields.