Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Zinc on Yield Attributes and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a protein-rich pulse crop crucial for sustainable agriculture and nutrition in semi-arid regions. However, zinc (Zn) deficiency in Indian soils often limits its productivity. A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2024–25 at the research farm of Nirwan University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of soil and foliar Zn application on the performance of chickpea variety GNG 2144. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments replicated thrice. Treatments included control (T1), RDF alone (T2), and combinations of soil-applied ZnSO4 (25 and 50 kg/ha) and foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 at key stages (booting and pod formation). The results showed a significant increase in yield attributes due to zinc application. The maximum number of pods per plant (41.20), number of seeds per pod (1.80), and 100-seed index (24.57 g) were observed under T9 (RDF + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 soil application + two foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4). This treatment also recorded the highest seed yield (19.87 q ha-1), straw yield (25.42 q ha-1) and harvest index (43.88%). Economic analysis revealed that T₉ provided the maximum gross return (₹119220 ha-1), net return (₹79320 ha-1), and B:C ratio (2.00), followed by T8 and T7. The lowest yield and returns were recorded under the control (T1). In conclusion, the integrated application of Zn through both soil and foliar routes significantly enhanced yield attributes, grain yield, and profitability of chickpea, and is recommended as an effective strategy to combat Zn deficiency in chickpea-growing regions.