Notes on Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L ):

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Source: Modern Techniques of Raising Field Crops Book by Chhidda Singh

Introduction to Chickpea:

• Role in Indian Agriculture: Premier pulse crop in India, integral in cropping systems.
• Nutritional Value: Major source of protein, rich in essential amino acids, and aids in soil nitrogen fixation.
• Production Statistics: In 1999-2000, total food production in India was around 209 million tonnes, with pulses, including chickpea, constituting 13.4 million tonnes.

Origin and History:

• Known Since: Chickpea has been cultivated from ancient times in Asia and Europe.
• Place of Origin: Southwestern Asia, countries like Afghanistan and Persia.
• Historical References: Mentioned by Aykroid and Doughty (1964) and De Candolle; has a Sanskrit name indicating long-standing cultivation in India.

Area and Distribution:

• Global Distribution: Cultivated over 12.0 million hectares worldwide.
• Leading Producers: India, Pakistan, Burma, Turkey, with India being the top producer.
• Indian Statistics: Occupies about 38% of the area under pulses in India; major producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab.

Classification:

• Types of Gram: Desi or Brown Gram (Cicer arietinumL.) and Kabuli or White Gram (Cicer kabulium).
• Characteristics: Desi variety has smaller, varied colored seeds; Kabuli has white, bold grains.

Botanical Description:

• Family: Leguminosae.
• Plant Structure: Small, branched, herbaceous, rarely exceeding 60 cm in height.
• Root System: Well-developed with a central tap root and lateral branches.

Climatic Requirements:

• Season: Winter season crop; vulnerable to severe cold and frost.
• Rainfall: Suited to areas with moderate rainfall of 60-90 cm per annum.

Soil Preferences:

• Soil Types: Grown on a wide range of soils; best in well-drained, sandy loam to clay loam soils.
• Soil pH: Preferably near neutral, unsuited to soils with pH higher than 8.5.

Varieties:

• Desi Varieties: Includes Avrodhi, Pant G-186, Gaurav, Uday, Pusa-256, and many others.
• Kabuli Varieties: Includes C- 104, L-550, Pusa- 1003, and others.
• Characteristics: Vary in maturity period, resistance to diseases, and yield potential.

Cropping Systems:

• Common Systems: Includes rotations and mixtures with rice, maize, pearl millet, sorghum, etc.
• Benefits: Helps in controlling soil-borne diseases.

Field Preparation:

• Seedbed Requirements: Requires rough seedbed, special care in preparation.
• Sowing Timing: Optimal sowing periods vary by region.

Seed and Sowing:

• Sowing Period: Varies by region, generally in October or November.
• Seed Rate: 75-100 kg per hectare, sown at 8-10 cm depth.

Manures and Fertilisers:

• Nitrogen Fixation: Chickpea fulfills part of its nitrogen requirement symbiotically.
• Fertiliser Application: Responses to phosphorus and potassium applications are variable.

Water Management:

• Irrigation: Typically rainfed, but requires irrigation under certain conditions.

Weed Control:

• Weed Management: Requires hand weeding or intercultural operations; herbicides like Fluchloralin can be used.

Diseases:

• Common Diseases: Wilt, sclerotinia blight, grey mold, rust, and Ascochyta blight.
• Control Measures: Include using resistant varieties and fungicides.

Insect Pests:

• Major Pests: Include gram cutworm and pod borer.
• Control Measures: Use of pesticides like Monocrotophos and Endosulfan.

Harvesting and Threshing:

• Harvest Period: When leaves turn reddish-brown and start shedding.
• Threshing Methods: Includes beating with sticks or trampling under the feet of bullocks.

Yield:

• Potential Yield: A well-managed crop can yield 20-25 quintals per hectare.