Effect of fertigation on growth, yield and water use efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1994-97 at Rahuri to find out suitability of fallow drip system (system used after harvest of main drop of kharif) for irrigation and fertigation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). A 75% of recommended fertilizer dose (18.75:37.50:18.75 kg N, P2O5, K2O/ha) in liquid form (75% RDLF) was found sufficient to sustain better growth and statistically equal grain and straw yield as that of 100% recommended fertilizer dose applied either solid or liquid form. This indicated 25% fertilizer saving with 11.07% increase in yield over N (urea) through drip treatment. Drip method of irrigation attributed significant increase in yield with 51.33% saving in water compared with surface method of irrigation.