Optimization of Crop Establishment Techniques and Moisture Conservation Practices for Enhancing Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Chickpea is a major pulse crop, especially in India, valued for its nutritional benefits and role in improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its productivity is constrained by moisture stress and poor agronomic practices, particularly in rainfed regions. Improved crop establishment methods and moisture conservation practices like ridge/BBF systems and mulching can enhance water use efficiency and increase yield. A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2022-23 at the Student Instructional Farm, Brahmanand Post Graduate College, Rath (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of crop establishment techniques and moisture conservation practices on chickpea under rainfed conditions of the Bundelkhand region. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. On the basis of data results reveled that among treatments, T₇ [broad bed furrow (BBF) of 105 cm with three rows along with straw mulch] recorded superior growth in terms of nodules (23.8 plant-¹), plant dry weight (25.4 g plant-¹) and branches (16.5 plant-¹), while T₂ (ridge sowing) produced the tallest plants (59.6 cm). In yield parameters, T₂ registered the highest grain yield (51.67 q ha-¹) and harvest index (49.11%), whereas T₇ achieved maximum stover (60.83 q ha-¹) and biological yield (110.28 q ha-¹). The lowest performance was observed under T₃ (skipping one row). The enhanced productivity under ridge and BBF systems with mulching was mainly due to improved soil moisture conservation, aeration and nutrient use efficiency.