Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties to irrigation and hydrogel application in Vertisols

A field experiment was conducted at Irrigation Water Management Research Centre (IWMRC) Belavatgi, Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district under Vertisols during rabi 2013–15 to study the effect of irrigation and hydrogel application on chickpea varieties in Malaprabha Command area. Irrigation effects were non significant, however irrigation scheduled at 0.4 IW/CPE + 2.5 kg ha⁻¹ hydrogel recorded higher grain yield (2136 kg ha⁻¹) as compared to irrigation scheduled at 0.6 IW/CPE (2087 kg ha⁻¹) and 0.4 IW/CPE (2025 kg ha⁻¹). It also recorded significantly higher WUE (13.34 kg/ha mm) over 0.6 IW/CPE (8.15 kg/ha mm). Among the varieties ‘JG-11’ recorded significantly higher grain yields (2309 kg ha⁻¹) over other varieties, however they did not affect the WUE. Interaction effect of irrigation levels and varieties was significant for grain yield and WUE. ‘A-1’, ‘JG-11’ and ‘JAKI-9218’ varieties with 2.5 kg ha⁻¹ hydrogel recorded significantly higher WUE and were on par. ‘JG-11’ variety with 0.6 IW/CPE recorded higher gross returns (Rs. 92660/ha), net returns (Rs. 69800/ha) and B: C ratio (3.05).