A study on impact of customized fertilizer on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Madhya Pradesh soil

Introduction

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) stands out as the sole domesticated species within the genus Cicer, indicating its exclusive status as the variety cultivated for agricultural purposes. It is characterized as a self-pollinated diploid, meaning it has a genetic structure of 2n=16, with 16 chromosomes. The domestication of chickpea occurred from a closely related wild species, C. reticulatum Ladizinsky, which highlights the evolutionary process of selecting and cultivating plants for human use. Following its domestication in the Middle East, chickpea gradually spread to other regions, including the Mediterranean, India, and Ethiopia, emphasizing its importance and versatility in global agriculture. According to the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT-2023) [3] , chickpea seeds contain an average of 23% protein, 64% total carbohydrates (with 47% starch and 6% soluble sugars), 5% fat, 6% crude fiber, and 3% ash. Recent studies have reinforced the benefits of chickpeas, showing that their consumption can help lower blood cholesterol levels (Patel et al., 2024) [8] . This contributes to reducing malnutrition and improving overall health, with consumption linked to a decreased risk of chronic diseases and enhanced well-being (Singh & Sharma, 2024) [11] . Effective nutrient management is vital for optimizing plant growth and ensuring high crop yields. In regions like rainfed areas of India, nutrient imbalances, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies, degrade soil fertility and reduce productivity. Zinc deficiency, recognized as a major limiting factor, further exacerbates this issue, with global studies showing that 50% of soils are zinc-deficient, and projections suggest this could rise to 63% by 2025. Molybdenum (Mo), crucial for nitrogen metabolism, is also essential for crops like legumes. To address these deficiencies, customized fertilizers that combine sulfur, zinc, and molybdenum with traditional NPK fertilizers offer a promising solution, ensuring crops receive specific nutrients at the right time.

These fertilizers are cost-effective, area-and crop-specific, and help maintain soil health while improving overall agricultural productivity.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the research farm of MGU Bilkisganj, Sehore, during the Rabi seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-24, under uniform topography and normal fertility status. Sehore, located at 23°12' N latitude and 77°05' E longitude, experiences an average annual rainfall of 1000-1200 mm and temperatures ranging from 8.6°C to 35.75°C. The soil at the experimental site was medium black clay loam with good drainage, and the initial fertility analysis showed low organic carbon, medium levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, with normal pH and electrical conductivity. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 4 replications six treatments: T1 involved the application of N, P2O5, K2O at a rate of 20:50:20 kg ha -1 ; T2 included N, P2O5, K2O, S, Zn, and Mo at a rate of 20:50:20:20:5:0.08 kg ha -1 ; T3 applied a customized fertilizer at 75 kg ha -1 ; T4 applied a customized at 100 kg ha-1; T5 applied a customized fertilizer at 125 kg ha -1 , containing N, P2O5, K2O, S, Zn, and Mo; and T6 served as the control with no fertilizers. [4] and Gupta (2018) [2] supports that customized fertilizers improve vegetative growth, root development, and nutrient efficiency, particularly during early growth stages. The consistent improvements in plant height and overall growth across multiple stages highlight the long-term benefits of customized fertilizers, underscoring the importance of precise nutrient management for enhancing chickpea productivity, as also emphasized by Singh et al. (2020) [7] .

Root nodules

The data in the table 02 shows the impact of different treatments on chickpea plant growth parameters, including nodule weight and number of pods per plant. The results indicate that customized fertilizers, particularly at higher doses, significantly improved nodule weight and pod count compared to the control. Treatment T5 (Customized fertilizer 125 kg ha⁻¹) resulted in the highest nodule weight at 762.44 mg (pooled) and the highest number of pods per plant at 65.82 (pooled), followed by T4 (100 kg ha⁻¹) with 760.17 mg of nodules and 62.69 pods per plant. Treatment T2, which included both macronutrients and micronutrients (zinc and molybdenum), also showed a notable increase in nodule weight (748.23 mg, pooled) and pod count (58.68, pooled), although it was lower than T4 and T5. The control treatment (T6), without fertilization, resulted in the lowest values for both nodule weight (555.90 mg, pooled) and pod count (34.62, pooled), emphasizing the importance of nutrient application for improved plant growth. Overall, the results demonstrate that higher doses of customized fertilizers and the inclusion of micronutrients lead to better nodule formation and pod development, enhancing overall chickpea productivity. Treatment T5 (Customized fertilizer 125 kg ha⁻¹) enhances nodule development due to its tailored nutrient composition, promoting optimal nitrogen fixation. Studies by Bhatia et al. (2019) [1] and Singh and Rani (2020) [9] confirm that customized fertilizers improve root nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. The increased nodule counts in T5 lead to better nitrogen uptake and plant vigor. This approach maximizes nodule formation, supporting higher yields and overall chickpea productivity, as emphasized by Kumar et al. (2021) [5] .

Yield parameters

The data from Table 03 [9] , Kumar and Rani (2023) [6] , and Patel et al. (2023) [7] emphasize the benefits of optimized nutrient management, improving physiological processes, resilience, and ultimately increasing grain yield, reinforcing the effectiveness of customized fertilizers in sustainable crop production.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the application of customized fertilizers, particularly at higher doses, significantly improved plant growth, root nodulation, and yield parameters in chickpea crops. The results showed that T5 (Customized fertilizer 125 kg ha⁻¹) consistently produced the best outcomes, including the tallest plants, highest nodule weight, largest number of pods per plant, and the highest grain yield, underscoring the effectiveness of tailored nutrient management. Treatment T4 (100 kg ha⁻¹) also demonstrated strong performance, with substantial increases in yield and nodule formation. Overall, these findings emphasize that customized fertilizer applications, especially with higher doses and micronutrient inclusion, are essential for maximizing chickpea yield and improving overall crop performance.

References

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