Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars to nitrogen applications at vegetative and reproductive stages

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar spraying of aqueous solutions 2 and 4% urea at two stages (before and after flowering) and 20 kg/ha urea application in soil (three-week after sowing) on growth, yield and yield components of chickpea cultivars (Azad and ILC 482) under rain-fed conditions. Results showed that the plant height, height of lower pod and 100-seed weight were significantly affected by cultivars. Plant height of Azad cultivar was significantly higher than that of cv. ILC 482. There was no significantly difference between cv. Azad and cv. ILC482 on biological yield. Grain yield of cv. ILC 482 was 4.2% less than that of cv. Azad, however, this difference was not statistically significant. The interaction of urea application × cultivar for days to maturity and pods per plant was significant. Lowest days to maturity of Azad were achieved under 20 kg urea applications but for ILC482, it was recorded under 4% urea spraying before flowering. Urea spraying at before flowering of ILC 482 cause reduction in days to maturity, and lowest period was observed at this stage. The effect of urea treatment on plant height was notable but other traits were not significantly affected by nitrogen applications. Highest plant height was obtained by application of 20 kg/ha urea in soil. However, difference among 20 kg urea application, 2% and 4% urea spraying before flowering was not significant. It can be concluded that the nitrogen fertilizer applying in rain-fed chickpea is not effective. Consequently, unused nitrogen in the soil/or plant can cause soil and air pollution.