Potassium Application on Chickpea Crop under Irrigated Area

Chickpea is one of the largest and highly cultivable pulse crops which plays a major part in fulfillingthe nutritional requirements of human. Limited research has been done on chickpea concern with potassium(K) fertilizer application. A field study was carried out to determine the effect of K on chickpea using cultivarBenazir having three fertilizer treatments; 0:0:0, 30:75:0 and 30:75:30 kg ha^-1 of N:P:K replicated thrice withrandomized complete block design respectively. The experimental soil was clay loam in texture. Applicationof N, P and K showed significant effect on chickpea growth and yield parameters. The maximum plant height(85.00 cm), pods plant^-1 (43.8), seed index (455 g per 1000 grains), seed yield (1896.0 kg ha^-1), total biomass(5205 kg ha^-1), straw yield (31050 kg ha^-1), protein (15.77%), shoot N, P and K (2.1, 0.3 and 1.3 %) concencentrationand N, P and K uptake (95.3, 16.4 and 49.9 kg ha^-1) were recorded by combined application of N, P andK fertilizer application. However, the minimum values were obtained from control treatment. The combinedapplication significantly increased chickpea yield compared the one without K application. There was positivesignificant relationship between all yield parameters except straw yield. Hence, it was recommended thatcombined application of N, P and K fertilizers is essential for the growth and yield enhancement of chickpea.