GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE OF CHICKPEA THROUGH FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ZINC AND BORON

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during the period from November 2020 to April 2021 in Rabi season, to study the growth and yield performance of chickpea through foliar application of zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor A. Different concentrations of Zn application: Zn 0 = Control (Water spray), Zn 1 = Basal application of Zn, Zn 2 = 0.5 % foliar application at pre-flowering stage, Zn 3 = 1 % foliar application at pre-flowering stage and Factor B. Different levels of B application: B 0 = Control (Water spray), B 1 = Basal application of B, B 2 = 0.5 % foliar application at preflowering

stage and B 3 = 1 % foliar application at pre-flowering stage. Experimental result showed that foliar application of Zn and B were effective method for boost up of yield in chickpea compared to soil application and control treatment. In the case of different Zn levels, the lowest seed yield (1.02 t ha ii -1 ) was recorded in the control treatment (Zn 0 ). The highest number of pods plant -1 (27.79), seeds pod (2.97), 1000seed weight

(109.06 g) and seed yield (1.75 t ha -1 ) were recorded in Zn 3 (1 % foliar application at pre-flowering stage) treatment. In the case of different B treatments, the seed yield ranges between (1.19 -1.60 t ha -1 -1 ). The highest seed yield (1.60 t ha ) was recorded in B 3 (1 % foliar application at pre-flowering stage) treatment. Both Zn and B @ 1% solution sprayed at the pre-flowering stage (Zn 3 B 3 ) effected chickpea plant growth and yield contributing characteristics, leading to the maximum seed yield (2.01 t ha -1 ) than compared to other treatment combinations. Therefore, it could be suggested that application of Zn (1.0 %) and B (1.0 %) by foliar spray at pre-flowering stage is beneficial for better yield and quality production of chickpea crop.