Effect of Organic Nutrient-Enriched Compost on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2025–26 at the Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, to evaluate the effect of organic nutrient-enriched compost (ONEC) on growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cv. Akash (BDNG-797). The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised absolute control, recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF), different combinations of 50 and 75 % RDF with ONEC, sole 100 % ONEC and RDF combined with biochar and basalt dust. ONEC was applied at a recommended dose of 5 t ha-1 and its fractional levels were used according to the treatment schedule. Treatment T3 (75% RDF + 50% ONEC) consistently recorded superior yield attributes and yield. This treatment recorded 84.00 pods plant-1, 1780.92 kg ha-1 grain yield and 2600.64 kg ha-1 straw yield, and remained statistically at par with T8 and T4 for grain yield. The response indicates that partial substitution of mineral fertiliser with nutrient-enriched compost can maintain a favourable nutrient supply while supporting reproductive development and crop productivity. The combined use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources, therefore, offers a practical approach for improving chickpea yield under the experimental conditions.