EFFECT OF SULPHUR APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) UNDER RICE CHICKPEA CROPPING SYSTEM

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important nutritive pulse crop which is cultivated throughout the world. A field experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of sulphur on growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rice chickpea cropping system. A commercial chickpea variety DG-89 was used for this study under five treatments T₁ = 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 0 kg S ha־¹ (Control), T₂ = 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 20 kg S ha־¹, T₃ = 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 40 kg S ha־¹, T₄ = 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 60 kg S ha־¹ and T₅ = 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 80 kg S ha־¹. The results of the study showed that the application of 36-72 kg NP ha־¹ + 40 kg S ha־¹, resulted maximum plant height, more pods plant^-1, higher number of branches plant^-1, maximum seed index 1000 grain weight and more grain yield over control. The maximum nitrogen and phosphorous content in chickpea were noted due to S application @ 36-72 kg NP ha^-1+ 40 kg S ha^-1. It is concluded that for better growth and yield of chickpea sulphur application @ 40 kg S ha^-1 should be included in the fertilization program of chickpea along with recommended NP (36-72 kg NP ha^-1) under rice chickpea cropping system.