Response of potassium levels on different varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and their production economics

The previous study showed the importance of potassium in legume nutrition. However, the work done on legumes with potassium application is not well recognized in comparison to cereals and other crops. Therefore, keeping these view in mind an experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2013 -14 at SIF of CSAUT Kanpur. Twelve treatments under which 4 Potassium levels viz., K1, K2, K3 and K4 (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) and Three Varieties (Udai, Avarodhi and KWR-108) were tested in factorial randomized block design with three Replications. Significantly highest plant population, number of branches, fresh and dry weight of plant at flowering and maturity, grain yield (18.66 q ha-1), net profit (Rs.29032 ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.00) were recorded under potassium level K4 (90 kg potassium per ha). The minimum grain yield (11.60 q ha-1), net profit (Rs.9535 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.36) was received in control treatment K1 (0 kg potassium per ha). Thus, chickpea variety KWR-108 should be fertilized with 90 kg potassium per ha for achieving maximum yields and profit.