Dry Matter, Nodulation and Nutrient Uptake in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) as Influenced by Irrigation and Phosphorus

Abstract

SUMMARYThe response of chickpea to irrigation and phosphorus was studied at Kharagpur in Eastern India. Irrigation scheduling was based on the ratio between irrigation water applied and cumulative pan evaporation (ID/CPE), and had little effect on dry matter accumulation. Increasing the frequency and amount of irrigation reduced the number and dry weight of nodules per plant, which increased to a maximum 70 days after sowing and then declined. Irrigation significantly reduced grain yield as a result of excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod formation. Application of phosphorus promoted nodulation and increased both nodule dry weight and the concentration of N, P and K in grain and stover. Uptake of N, P and K by the crop was also increased.