Influence of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza and moisture stress on yield and nutrient uptake in chickpea varieties

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital rabi legume crop widely grown across arid and semi-arid regions, contributing significantly to food security and sustainable agriculture through its rich nutrient profile and nitrogen-fixing ability. However, chickpea productivity is highly vulnerable to climate-induced abiotic stresses, particularly drought, which alone accounts for over 50% yield reduction globally. In recent years, the symbiotic association of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi has emerged as an effective strategy for mitigating drought stress. To assess the influence of VAM on yield performance and nutrient dynamics in chickpea under irrigated and moisture stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted at Dr. PDKV, Akola during 2023-24. Seven chickpea varieties were evaluated for grain yield, straw yield, nutrient content, and total nutrient uptake. Results revealed that drought stress significantly reduced grain and straw yields, with the highest reductions observed in susceptible genotype Gulak-1. However, tolerant genotypes such as JAKI-9218 and PDKV Kanak exhibited minimal yield reductions under stress, coupled with enhanced macro-and micronutrient content and uptake. VAM application substantially improved nutrient absorption efficiency under both water regimes, with JAKI-9218 recording the highest levels of N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn uptake. These findings highlight the synergistic role of VAM in improving drought resilience and nutrient use efficiency in chickpea.