Effect of nitrogen and foliar application of potassium on yield and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Introduction

Chickpea is the most important source of protein as it plays an important role in human nutrition for large population in the developing world. Chickpea valued for its nutritive seeds with high protein content (18-22%), carbohydrate (52-70%), fat (4-10%), minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron) and Vitamins. Chickpea plays a main role in increasing soil fertility due to its nitrogen fixing ability. It can fix up to 140 kg N ha -1 in a growing period (Pooniya and Pithia, 2013) [9] . It leaves substantial amount of residual nitrogen for subsequent crops and adds plenty of organic matter to maintain and improve soil health and fertility. The per capita per day protein requirement is 25 g. In order to supplement this need of protein about 120 g dal is essential in our daily diet. The protein content in chickpea is about 22%. It is good source of amino acids. The amino acid contains 0.44 mg lysine, 0.30 mg thiamine, 0.15 mg riboflavin, 2.9 mg niacin per kg chickpea seed. Chickpea seeds are good source of vitamin 'C' and minerals. Germinated seed is recommended against the scurvy disease. The protein content and amino acid composition vary with the variety, germination, environment and application of fertilizers. The protein content in pulses is almost double than that in cereals. The protein in chickpea is highly digestible (70-90%) (Sumera et al. 2009) [12] . Potassium application has been neglected in many countries, including India, which has resulted in soil K depletion in agricultural ecosystems and a decline in crop. yields (Regmi et al., 2002) [11] . Potassium has been described as the "quality element" for crop production (Usherwood, 1985; Pettigrew, 2000) [13,8] . Potassium increases the protein content of plants, the starch content in grains and tubers, Vitamin and the solid soluble contents in fruits. The crucial importance of K in quality formation confirms its role in promoting the production of photosynthates and their transport to storage organs such as fruits, grains and tubers and enhancing their conversion into starch, protein, vitamins and oil (Mengel and Kirkby, 2001) [6] . Nitrogen is one of the most important mineral nutrients for plants influencing growth, development, yield and protein content of grains (Heydari Sharifabad, 2012) [3] . It promotes shoot elongation, tillering and regeneration after defoliation and governs to considerable degree, the utilization of phosphorus, potassium and other elements in the plant. Nitrogen is the most limiting factor for high crop productivity but its use efficiency is low. Secondly, the application of increased doses of N increases cost of production. Nitrogen as known is very crucial to plants for its growth as it forms the basic structure of protein and nucleic acid which further plays important role in plant physiological phenomenon. Chlorophyll, the most important component, green color material of every plants and the one responsible for photosynthesis have the component nitrogen. Nitrogen is one or other way associated with proper functioning of plants.

Materials and Methods

This experiment was laid out during the rabi season of 2023-24 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.). The crop research farm is situated at 250 39" 42" N latitude, 810 67" 56" E longitude and at an altitude of 98 m above mean sea level. The experiment was layout in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatment and three replicated. The treatment details are as follows T 1: Nitrogen 15 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO 3 , T 2: Nitrogen 15 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO 3 , T 3 :Nitrogen 15 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO 3 , T 4: Nitrogen 20 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO 3 , T 5: Nitrogen 20 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO 3 , T 6: Nitrogen 20 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO 3 , T 7: Nitrogen 25 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO 3 , T 8: Nitrogen 25 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO 3 , T 9: Nitrogen 25 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO 3 , T 10: Control RDF-NPK 20:40:20 kg/ha. The observations were recorded for Seed yield (kg/ha), Stover yield (kg/ha) and Economics.

Treatment combination

Nitrogen -15 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO3 Nitrogen -15 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO3 Nitrogen -15 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO3 Nitrogen -20 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO3 Nitrogen -20 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO3 Nitrogen -20 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO3 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 0.5% KNO3 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO3 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO3 Control RDF-NPK 20:40:20

Results and Discussion

3.1 Yield Parameter 3.1.1 Seed yield (kg/ha) At harvest, significant and maximum seed yield (2228.67 kg/ha) was observed in treatment-9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3, which was significantly superior over rest of the treatments. However, treatment-8 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 1.0% KNO 3 and treatment-6 Nitrogen -20 kg/ha +2.0% KNO 3 was found to be statistically at par with treatment-9 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO 3 . Significant and higher grain yield was with application of Nitrogen (25 kg/ha) might be due to vigorous and enhanced plant growth and development of reproductive parts due to continuous and synchronize supply of nitrogen throughout the growth stages of crop. Similar result was also reported by Kumar et al., (2023) [5] . The application of potassium nitrate supplied N and K which ate absorbed as anion and cation by plants, and might have delayed the synthesis of abscisic acid and promoted cytoldnin activity causing higher chlorophyll retention which turn promoted more number of leaves and leaf area. This may secure higher phosynthetic activity in effective leaves and supplied developing pods with current photosynthates for proper Ming, resulting in higher yield. Bhosale et. al., (2003) [1] Reddy et. al., (2004) [10] and Msaakpa et. al., (2011) [7] also reported similar results.

At harvest, treatment 9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3 recorded significantly higher stover yield (3543.00 kg/ha) which was significantly superior over rest of the treatments. However, treatment-8 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha +1.0% KNO 3 and treatment-6 Nitrogen -20 kg/ha +2.0% KNO 3 was found to be statistically at par with treatment-9 Nitrogen -25 kg/ha + 2.0% KNO 3 . Significant and higher straw yield was with application of Nitrogen (25 kg/ha) might be due to adequate supply of nitrogen leads to higher photosynthesis and assimilation rate, metabolic activity and protein synthesis, which were responsible for increase in growth, grain and straw yield of crop. Similar results were also reported by Islam et al., (2010) [4] in wheat. Further, significant and higher straw yield was with application of KNO 3 (2%) might be due to increased availability of KNO 3 in soil helps in absorption of other nutrients which led to improved functioning of physiological process and improves the straw content. Similar result was also reported by Banti and Debbarma (2023) [2] .

At harvest, maximum harvest index (38.60%) was observed in treatment-9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3, though there was non-significant difference among the treatments.

Economics

In Table 2 data pertaining to economics of growing as influenced by nitrogen and foliar application of potassium on chickpea has been exhibited. The common and variable cost of production has been given in table 2.

Cost of production (36050.00 INR/ha) was found to be highest in treatment 9 (with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3 as compared to other treatment.

Gross return (126269.16 INR/ha) was found to be highest in treatment 9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3 as compared to other treatment.

Net return (90219.16 INR/ha) was found to be highest in treatment 9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3 as compared to other treatment.

B:C Ratio

Benefit Cost Ratio (2.50) was found to be highest in treatment 9 with the application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with 2.0% KNO 3 as compared to other treatment.

Conclusion

From the results, it is concluded that application of Nitrogen -25 kg/ha along with foliar application of 2.0% KNO 3 (Treatment 9) in Chickpea has recorded maximum yield and benefit cost ratio.

References

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