Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, soil nutrient status and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under south Gujarat conditions

A field experiment wasconducted at the College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. There were five treatments imposed in chickpea viz., T1 - 100% RDF, T2 - 75% RDF, T3 - 100% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB, T4 - 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB, T5 - control. General application of FYM in 2.5 t/ha. These treatments were evaluated replicated four times in randomized block design. Application of 100% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB (T3) recorded significantly higher almost all the growth attributes viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation per plant, volume of nodules per plant, yield attributes and yield viz., number of pods per plant, seed index, seed yield per plant, seed yield, stover yield as well as available nutrient status in soil but remained at par with 100% RDF (T1) and 75% RDF + Rhizobium + PSB (T4). Likewise, economics was remarkably improved due to inorganic fertilizers as well as combination of inorganic fertilizers with biofertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB).