Enhancing chickpea productivity under rainfed conditions through integrated soil and water management: Application of residues, superabsorbent polymer, and tillage practices
This study investigated the effects of crop residue retention, tillage methods, and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) application on physiological and agronomic traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rainfed conditions. The experiment was a 3 × 2 × 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025026568 |
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| Summary: | This study investigated the effects of crop residue retention, tillage methods, and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) application on physiological and agronomic traits of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rainfed conditions. The experiment was a 3 × 2 × 4 factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included three tillage systems (no‑tillage, reduced, conventional), two residue levels (0 % and 50 %), and four SAP rates (0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha⁻¹). The main effects and several interactions significantly influenced most traits. The highest soil moisture (7.58 %) occurred under conventional tillage with residue and 60 kg ha⁻¹ SAP, an 80 % increase over the control. Residue application raised seed number per plant by 40 %, while the highest pod numbers were observed with 50 % residue (20.77) and 60 kg ha⁻¹ SAP (19.18). The harvest index peaked at 92.67 % under 50 % residue. Plant height was significantly affected (p < 0.01), with the tallest plants under 30 and 60 kg ha⁻¹ SAP (33.42 and 33.19 cm), while 90 kg ha⁻¹ reduced height. The highest biological yield (3030.24 kg ha⁻¹) was achieved under residue treatment (+43 % vs. control). Grain yield peaked under RC + SB₃₀ (2425.6 kg ha⁻¹; +117.8 %), with residue alone also increasing yield (2294.4 kg ha⁻¹; +106.0 %). The maximum grain weight per plant (7.37 g) and 100‑seed weight (42.88 g) occurred under 60 kg ha⁻¹ SAP and residue. These results show that combined residue management and SAP application at 30–60 kg ha⁻¹ can improve chickpea productivity and drought resilience. |
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| ISSN: | 2590-1230 |