1Division of Agronomy, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore-641 114, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paramakudi-623 707, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Agricultural Statistics, Centre for Distance and Online Education, Alliance University, Anekal, Bengaluru-562 106, Karnataka, India.
*Corresponding Author: R. Isaac Manuel, Agricultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Paramakudi-623 707, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: isaacmanuel_r@yahoo.com
Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.), a key pulse crop in Indian agriculture, often suffer from sub-optimal yields, which are constrained by deteriorating soil health and inadequate nutrient practices. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), which combines chemical fertilizers with organic manures and biofertilizers, offers a sustainable alternative.
Field experiments on chickpeas were conducted at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The twelve treatments consisted of different combinations of inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (both enriched and non-enriched with microbes) and nano-emulsion biofertilizers applied through seed coating and foliar spray. Observations were made on yield, crop nutrient uptake, post-harvest soil fertility, microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and microbial populations. Statistical analyses included correlation and regression.
The integration of 100% RDF with microbially enriched vermicompost resulted in a higher grain yield and higher NPK uptake. Soil nutrient status was maximum under this treatment. Correlation analysis confirmed strong positive associations between soil microbial indicators and yield, highlighting the synergistic benefits of integrating inorganic fertilizers with microbially enriched organic manure.
Biofertilizers, Chickpea, Integrated nutrient management, Nutrient uptake, Soil fertility, Soil microbiology, Sustainable agriculture, Vermicompost
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