Influence of phosphorus levels and Bio-fertilizers on yield and economics of chickpea under sub-tropical conditions of Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Centre of School of Agriculture, ITM University, Gwalior, (M.P.) during Rabi 2021–22 to study the influence of phosphorus levels and Bio-fertilizers on yield and economics of chickpea. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design by taking four levels of phosphorus viz. 0 kg P2 O5 ha-1, 30 kg P2 O5 ha-1, 40 kg P2 O5 ha-1, 50 kg P2 O5 ha-1 and bio-fertilizers (No inoculation, PSB, Rhizobium, PSB + Rhizobium which were replicated thrice. The chickpea variety “JG-16” was uniformly fertilized by 20 kg N/ha through Urea. However, phosphorus and bio-fertilizers were applied as per the requirement of the treatments. The crop was managed as per the recommended package and practices. The experimental study revealed that among the phosphorus levels, the application of 50 kg P/ ha recorded significantly highest seed and stover yield. However, among the bio-fertilizers, application of Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + Rhizobium resulted in highest seed and stover yield of chickpea. Among the economic analysis, application of 50 kg ha-1 phosphorus and combined treatment of Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + Rhizobium incurred the highest cost of cultivation, highest gross return, net return and Benefit cost ratio. Therefore, for chickpea cultivation, application of 50 kg ha-1 phosphorus and treatment of Phosphate solubilizing bacteria+ Rhizobium was proved to be profitable.