Productivity, profitability and protein content of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) as influenced by farm yard manure, phosphorus and sulphur application

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota (Rajasthan) during the winter season of 2008 and 2009 to evolve an integrated nutrient management strategy for chickpea. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 12 treatment combinations of FYM (0, 5 t/ha) P₂O₅ (0, 40, 60 kg/ha), and sulphur (0, 20 kg/ha) replicated four times. Application of FYM @ 5t/ha, inorganic P₂O₅ @ 40 kg/ha and S @ 20 kg/ha resulted significantly higher plant height, Branches/plant, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of nodules, dry weight of nodules and hence higher seed, straw yield and protein content during 2008 and 2009. There were no significant difference observed within 40 and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha The gross return, net return and B:C ratio increased with the application of FYM@5t/ha inorganic P₂O₅ @ 40 kg/ha and S @ 20 kg/ha during both the years. But highest B:C ratio was recorded under 60 kg P₂O₅/ha but it was on par with 40kg P₂O₅/ha It was concluded that for higher productivity, profitability and soil health, chickpea should be fertilized with 40 kg P₂O₅/ha in conjunction with 5 t/ha FYM and 20kg S/ha.