Influence of seed rate and nipping practice on yield, nutrient uptake and quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties in Irrigated Arid Western Plains Zone

A field experiment was conducted during winter season 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Bikaner, Rajasthan, to study the effect of seed rates and nipping on yield, nutrient uptake and quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties. Among varieties, ‘GNG 1581’ recorded significantly higher seed yield (2,142 kg/ha), net returns and benefit: cost (B: C) ratio followed by ‘GNG 1958’ and ‘GNG 2171’. ‘GNG 1958’ chickpea gave significantly higher straw and biological yields than the other 2 varieties. Further, growing of chickpea by using 80 kg/ha seed rate resulted in highest seed (2111 kg/ha), straw (3657 kg/ha), biological yields (5,768 kg/ha), NPK uptake and crude protein content followed by seed rate of 64 kg/ha and 48 kg/ha. Higher net returns and B: C ratio were recorded under 64 kg/ha seed rate. Significantly higher seed, straw, biological yields, net returns, B:C ratio and NPK uptake were observed when nipping practiced at 45 days after sowing (DAS) than the control (no nipping), nipping at 30 DAS and 60 DAS. However, protein content in seed was not influenced by nipping practice. Chickpea var. ‘GNG 1581’ also revealed significantly higher total nitrogen (120.6 kg/ha); and total phosphorus uptake (23.02 kg/ha) however, total potassium uptake (65.13 kg/ha) was higher in variety ‘GNG 1958’.