Effect of Sowing Dates on Potash Levels in Chickpea

An experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications and twelve treatment combinations formed due to (A) three sowing dates viz., 49^th MSW (D₁), 50^th MSW (D₂), 51^st MSW (D₃), four potash levels, 0 kg K₂O ha^-1 (K₁), 25 kg K₂O ha^-1 (K₂), 50 kg K₂O ha^-1 (K₃) and 75 kg K₂O ha^-1 (K₄). The soil of experimental field was deep black clayey in texture, low in available nitrogen (148.25 kg ha^-1), medium in available phosphorus (16.64 kg ha^-1) and very high in potassium (432.58 kg ha^-1) with slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 8.1). The chickpea was sown on various sowing dates viz., 10^th, 17^th and 24^th December 2009. The treatments of potassium levels along with recommended dose of fertilizer (25:50:00 kg NPK ha^-1) was given at the time of sowing. The seeds were treated with rhizobium culture @ 25 g per kg seeds. The value of yield attributes such as number of pods per plant (46.99), weight of grain per plant (12.75 g) and weight of 100 seeds (26.28 g) were significantly higher when chickpea was sown on 10^th December over crop sown on 24^th December but it remained at par with 17^th December sown chickpea. The yield attributes viz., number of pod, weight of pod, weight of grains per plant and 100 seed weight (g) were significantly the highest due to application of 50 kg K₂O ha^-1. The protein content in the grain was significantly increased with increased potash levels.The interaction effect between sowing dates and potash levels on growth, yield and quality of chickpea were non-significant. Thus, from the results of the present investigation it is concluded that for Rabi chickpea (cv. DIGVIJAY) on deep black soil under irrigated conditions, 10^th December sown crop along with application of 50 kg K₂O ha^-1 through muriate of potash at the time of sowing would be the best proportion for higher productivity.