Growth and Development of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties Affected as Agronomic Biofortification through Zinc and Iron

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the agronomic biofortification of zinc and iron in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties under Arid Western Plains Zone of Rajasthan. Growing of two varieties namely GNG-1581 and RSG-974 and seven fortification treatments included various doses of zinc and iron were assigned under FRBD and trial was carried out at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) during rabi season of 2019-20. The results revealed that significantly higher dry matter accumulation, SPAD Chlorophyll Meter Reading, number of nodules/plant, fresh and dry weight of nodules/plant, number of primary and secondary branches/plant obtained with variety GNG – 1581 as compared to RSG-974. Whereas, higher plant height recorded in RSG-974 as compared to GNG – 1581. Further results revealed that application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha (SA) + 0.5% FeSO4 (FA) and FeSO4 @ 25 kg/ha (SA) + 0.5% FeSO4 (FA) recorded higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, SPAD Chlorophyll Meter Reading, number of nodules/plant, fresh and dry weight of nodules/plant, number of primary and secondary branches/plant over rest of treatments.