Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Chickpea - forage Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Cropping Sequence

Background: The ameliorating effect of legumes on the soil is considered to be the most important factor for increasing productivity of non-legume crops grown in rotation. The contribution of preceding legumes is often studied by measuring the yield of subsequent crop. The success of any cropping system depends upon the appropriate management of resources including balanced use of manures and fertilizers. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India during Rabi - Summer seasons of the years 2017-18 and 2018-19 on chickpea-forage sorghum cropping system. Result: Results showed that the growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea were significantly influenced by the integrated nutrient management. On the basis of two year and pooled data, the results revealed that the plant height, dry matter production, dry root biomass, number of pods plant(-1), seed yield and stover yield of chickpea were increased with application of 50% RDF + 2 t VC ha(-1) + Bio NP (Rhizobium + PSB) than any other treatments. The ameliorating effect of legumes on the soil is considered to be the most important factor in improving the production of non-legume crops grown in rotation. The contribution of preceding legumes is often studied by measuring the yield of subsequent crop. The success of any cropping system depends upon the appropriate management of resources including balanced use of manures and fertilizers. It can be concluded that growth and yield of chickpea was significantly increased with combine application of chemical fertilizers, organic manure and bio- fertilizers.