Vol. 7 No. 2
Effect of date of sowing and irrigation on seed yield, yield attributes and water use of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) at lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal
Author(s): M . RAY, M. K. NANDA AND D. K. KHAN
Abstract: Chickpea, an important winter pulse crop is cultivated in Gangetic plains of West Bengal after harvesting of kharif rice. This field experiment was conducted at Kalyani (22°56N latitude and 89′E longitude), West Bengal for two consecutive years of 2005-06 and 2006-07 during winter season to study the effect of date of sowing and irrigation regime on seed yield, yield attributes and water use of chickpea. Results revealed that 1st date of sowing (20th Novemver) was found better in terms of seed yield (1454.83 kg ha-1). Number of pods plant\'-1 (35.95), seeds pod-1 (2.07) and test weight (166.81 g) were higher at 20th Novemver sowing. Seed yield of chickpea significantly influenced by irrigation and recorded maximum of 1578.20 kg ha-1 with two irrigations at branching and pod formation stage. Two irrigations at branching and pod formation also recorded significantly higher pods plant-1 (40.67), seeds per pod (2.09) and test weight (172.28). Higher AET (actual evapo-transpiration) was recoded with the increasing irrigation frequency, but water use efficiency is not proportional with irrigation level..