Influence of differential irrigation and mulch on crop growth, yield and moisture extraction of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal during rabi 2010–11 and 2011–12 to evaluate the effect of irrigation and mulch on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and soil moisture extraction of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Chickpea irrigated at IW/CPE of 0.6 (IW = Irrigation Water and CPE = Cumulative Pan Evaporation) showed 7.14% and 23.53% higher seed yield (1.05 t ha⁻¹) as compared to IW/CPE of 0.4 (0.98 t ha⁻¹) and Rainfed (0.85 t ha⁻¹), respectively. Maximum seed yield of about 1.01 t ha⁻¹ was recorded under the treatment receiving black polythene mulch, which was about 3.59%, 7.45% and 9.78% higher over the treatments receiving straw @5 t ha⁻¹, water hyacinth @5 t ha⁻¹ and no mulch, respectively. Protein yield and nutrient uptake were significantly influenced by both irrigation and mulch treatments. Soil moisture extraction by the crop was maximum with the application of irrigation at IW/CPE of 0.6. Black polythene was best in conserving soil moisture compared to other mulches. Moisture extraction rate increased with the increase in moisture status of the soil. Irrigation applied at IW/CPE of 0.6 maintained its superiority with highest net return and Benefit Cost (B: C) ratio. Among mulches, highest return and B: C ratio were recorded with the application of black polythene.