Response of chickpea to potassium fertilization on yield, quality, soil fertility and economic in vertisols

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of potassium fertilization on growth, yield, quality, soil fertility and economics of chickpea during rabi 2008–09 to 2010–11. The growth and yield attributes were significantly improved by different potash levels. The application of 20 kg K₂O/ha increase the seed and straw yield significantly over RDF alone and absolute control, however, could not influence significantly over foliar application of KNO₃ (2%) twice at flowering and 15 days thereafter. Seed yield of chickpea increases up to 40 kg K₂O/ha⁻¹ and further decreases with 50 kg K₂O/ha though the difference between them remained at par. The highest uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium was observed at 40 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ which was at par with 30 kg K₂O ha⁻¹. The seed protein content increased gradually with increase in potash level and maximum protein content were recorded with application of 40 kg K₂O/ha⁻¹ along with physical properties. Available N, P and K status of soil after harvest of chickpea were significantly influenced due to potash levels over initial status. The significantly higher net return was obtained with application of RDF+ 40 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ which in turn was found at par with lower level of RDF 30 kg K₂O ha⁻¹.