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Agricultural Universities and seed agencies like the State Corporations, and
National Seeds Corporation, etc.
Sowing Time and Seed Rate
The best sowing time is middle of October to the middle of November depending
upon the soil and temperature conditions. Generally, a seed rate of 45 kg/ha is
used for desi types having a 100-seed weight around 13 g. The seed rate is
increased proportionately for types with larger seeds. The average seed rate for
the kabuli types is around 85 kg/ha because these types have comparatively
larger seeds as well as a low emergence percentage.
Sowing Methods and Fertilizer Use
The seed is drilled with the help of a heavy desi (country) plow having an iron or
wooden tube tied to it for placement of seed at the proper depth. Generally the
seed is sown at a depth of about 10 cm and the row-to-row distance is mostly kept
at 30 cm, but in heavy soils the row-to-row spacings are increased to 40-45 cm.
Most of the farmers do not use any fertilizer. However, phospIatic fertilizers at
20-30 kg PO./ha enhance the yield in soils having low available phosphorus. A
A starter dose of 15 kg N/ha helps in establishment of the crop particularly in
soils of poor fertility.
Pests, Diseases and Weeds
The pod borer (Heliothisarmigera) is the most important pest of this crop and in
some years it may cause enormous losses. Cutworm (Agrotis spp.) is a pest in
initial growth stages.
Wilt caused by Fusariumoxysporum f. sp. ciceriand blight incited by Ascochyta
rabieiare major diseases. But Rhizoctoniasolani,Rhizoctonia bataticola,
Operculella padwickii, Sclerotium rolfsii, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum are other
soil-borne fungi which cause root rot, dry root rot, foot blight, collar rot and stem
rot, respectively. The two other foliar diseases botrytis gray mold (Botrytis
cinerea) and stemphylium blight (Stemphylium sarciniforme) may sometime
take a heavy toll of the crop. The rust (Uromyces ciceris-arietini) is not a major
problem in most of the areas in India. Phyllody and stunt are serious problems in
some areas.
The incidence of wilt can be reduced if the crop is sown deep and at the
optimum time when temperatures are not too high, the condition which favors
buildup of the soil-borne fungi at a rapid rate. No workable control measures are
available against blight. D,,velopment of resistant cultivars is the most effective
way to combat the disease.
Weeds reduce the yield of chickpea considerably, if not properly managed by