CHICKPEA

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important cool season food legume. It is also known
as Bengal gram. Globally it is the third most important pulse crop after dry beans (Phaseolus
vulgaris) and dry peas (Pisum sativum L.). Chickpea seeds contain on average 18- 22% protein,
52-70% total carbohydrates, 4-10% fat, 6% crude fiber and 3% ash. Seeds are rich in mineral
content as phosphorus (340 mg/100 g), calcium (190 mg/100 g), magnesium (140 mg/100g), iron
(7 mg/100 g) and zinc (3 mg/100 g). Its leaves contain consist of mallic and citric acid, which is
very useful for stomach ailments. Chickpea is best blood purifier. It assists in lowering of
cholesterol in the bloodstream. Chickpea is mostly consumed in the form of processed whole
seed (boiled, roasted, fried, steamed and sprouted) or dal or as dal flour (Besan). It is an excellent
animal feed. Its straw also has good forage value. In India, chickpea flour is used for preparation
of number of sweets and recipes.

Origin
Chickpea is one of the pulse crop domesticated in the old world. Chickpea is known to
have originated in western Asia (probably eastern Turkey). The cultivated chickpea is not found
in the wild and C. reticulatum is its progenitor, while C. echinospermum is a close relative. It has
a wide geographical distribution covering Indian sub-continent, the Mediteranean region,
western and eastern Asia, northern and eastern Africa, southern Europe and Australia.

Area, Production and Productivity

Globally India, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Australia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Spain and
Bangladesh are the major chickpea producing countries which contributes 96% of the total
production. India ranks first in area and production of chickpea at world level. Chickpea in India
occupies 8.35 million ha area, producing 7.17 million tones and a productivity of 859 kg/ha.
Presently, the major chickpea producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat which together account for more than 80% of the total
production. The area, production and productivity of Rajasthan during 2015-16 was 0.94 m ha,
0.80 m tons and 852 kg/ha, respectively. Madhya Pradesh with 3.02 M ha producing 3.27 M t
with productivity of 1082 kg/ ha, ranks first in area, and production. The national average
productivity is 859 kg/ha (2015-16), which is much lower than the highest average productivity
(1800 kg/ha) in Egypt.

Classification
Two major cultivar types designated as Desi/Brown gram (microsperma) and Kabuli/
White chickpea (macrosperma) have emerged under domestication. In addition `gulabi', pea
shaped forms of local importance are also recognized. Desi chickpeas are small and angular with
rough brown to yellow testas, while kabuli types are relatively large, plump, and with smooth
cream colored testas. Kabuli types are considered relatively more advanced because of their
larger seed size and reduced pigmentation achieved through conscious selection.
Study at ICRISAT revealed that desi and kabuli types differ in their dietary fiber components of
seed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Kabuli types contain higher amount of dietary fiber,
particularly cellulose and hemicellulose. The differences in desi and kabuli-chickpea are as
follows

Desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) K a b u l i c h i c k p ea (Cicer kabulium)

Climatic requirement
Chickpea is essentially a subtropical crop, it grows well in a wide range of climates. The
crop is very sensitive to excess moisture, high humidity and cloudy weather, which limit flower
production, seed set and yield. Severe cold and frost are injurious to it. Chickpea is usually
grown after rainy season on stored soil moisture during winter in tropics or spring in temperate
and Mediterranean regions. In India, it is grown as rabi crop in areas of 400- 700 mm rainfall.
The average air temperature varies from 25° to 30°C with warmer nights with 20°-25°C
temperature.
Chickpea is a long day plant requiring 12—16 hrs bright sunshine per day. In India, two
distinct agroclimatic regions are recognised. In cold winters (rabi) of north India, the crop
duration is 160-170 days. In Peninsular India, where winters are warm, the crop duration is short
(90—110 days). Hence, the productivity of chickpea is higher under north Indian conditions. Pod
set and seed development is limited by temperatures less than 5°C and higher than 30°C. The
optimum temperature regime for chickpea is 24°- 30°C.

Soil requirement
Chickpea thrives well on a wide range of soils including sandy, sandy loam and black
cotton soils. It is highly sensitive to saline and sodic soils. A pH range of 6-9 is favourable.
Chickpea is highly sensitive to aeration. Therefore, on heavy soil having high moisture retention
capacity, care should be taken during seedbed preparation to ensure adequate aeration. Well
drained sandy/silty clay loam to deep loam soils of medium fertility which may retain up to 200
mm of moisture in a profile to a depth of 1 meter are considered ideal for chickpea cultivation.
The alluvial soils of the Indogangetic belt support bumper crop of Chickpea.

Crop rotation
Chickpea is cultivated during rabi seasion. Chickpea in rotation with cereal crops helps in
controlling soil born diseases. The most common rotations are Kharif fallowchickpea, paddy-
chickpea, Maize-chickpea, Bajra-chickpea and Jowar- chickpea. Chickpea is also grown mixed
with wheat, barley, linseed, sunflower and rapeseed and mustard.
Field preparation
Chickpea needs clody and rough land for good aeration in root zones and does not need a
fine seedbed. When grown on residual moisture under rainfed conditions, care should be taken to
conserve rain water. At the onset of monsoon deep ploughing and one light harrowing followed
by planking at the end of monsoon helps to conserve the moisture.

Sowing time
The ideal time of sowing in rainfed areas is the middle of October whereas under
irrigated condition, middle of November is the optimum time. If the temperature is more than
30oC than chickpea should not be sown as it will lead to high vegetative growth and increase the
incidence of wilt. In order to utilize residual moisture of kharif season, sowing in Central and
Southern Zones is generally 10-15 days earlier than that in north India. For getting good yield the
optimum sowing time is second fortnight of October. While the optimum time of sowing of
Kabuli chickpea is the end of October to the first week of November.

Seed rate
Chickpea has wide variation in seed size from 12 to 40 g per 100 seeds. The small seeded
varieties require less seed in comparison to large seeded varieties. For timely planting of desi
type, 40-45 kg seed per ha is adequate, however for bold seeded varieties like HC-3 and Gaurav
a seed rate of 75-80 kg seed per ha is optimal. In case of kabuli types the optimal seed rate is 80 -
100 kg per ha. Under late planting conditions, the seed rate should be increased by 20-30% (50-
55 kg/ha) so as to compensate the per plant yield loss. In case of intercropping, the seed rate
should be adjusted as per the area available to the crop.

Seed treatment
For nodulation and nitrogen fixation, the seed must be treated with specific Rhizobium
culture before sowing. The inoculation should be done 10-12 hours before sowing. To inoculate
10 kg seed, 100 g Gur be added in one liter of water followed by heating up to prepare
homogenous mixture. After cooling the mixture at room temperature, one packet of Rhizobium
culture is added in it and mixed up thoroughly. Rubbing this mixture of the culture solution on
seeds provides a uniform thin coating all over. After drying in shade for about 6-8 hours, seeds
can be used for sowing.

Method of sowing
Delayed sowing require higher seed rate for optimal plant stand than the normal planted
crop due to restricted growth. Adequacy of moisture and nutrients leads to enhance vegetative
growth and therefore, a low plant stand is desirable under such condition.The optimal row
spacing for timely sown crop is 30cm under sufficient moisture condition, whereas for rainfed
condition it should be wider i.e. 45 cm. However for late (December) planting in irrigated areas,
it should be 25 cm.
Sowing depth decides the period of emergence. The period of emergence can be
shortened with appropriate sowing depth according to soil types and moisture. In loamy sand soil
of northern India seeding at 10 cm depth is better than shallow seeding (5 cm depth) if the
chickpea be sown on conserved soil moisture condition.
Varieties
Recommended varieties of different zones

High yielding cultivars for specific situations are:

o Drought tolerant: RS 10, G 24, T 3, T 87, RSG 888
o Late sown situation: JG 74, Strain 76, G 235, Pant G 114.
o Wilt resistant: HC 1, GPF 2, JG 315, KWR 108, DCP 92-3, Vijay, Vishal, JG 74.
o Ascochyta blight tolerant: Gaurav, GNG 146, Pusa 261, GNG 469, PBG I.
o Early maturing thermosensitive: KPG 59, BG 372, Pant G 186.
o Extra bold and bold seeded: Kabuli KAK 2, BO 1053, HK 2.
Varieties Jyothi (100-110 days), Kranthi (100-110 days), Swetha (80-85 days), Annegiri (100-
110) and ICCV 10 (110-120 days) are popular cultivars during post rainy season on black cotton
soils of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.

Fertilizer management
Chickpea responds 15-20 kg N per ha on coarse textured soils unless the soil is rich in
organic matter. Foliar application of 2 % urea at the time of flowering and 10 days thereafter is
useful, specially in rainfed areas. The crop responds to 40 - 60 kg P2O5 per ha. Application of 20
kg K2O per ha is recommended under deficient soil conditions. The recommended fertilizer
should be drilled at sowing. In addition to this, it is also advised to apply zinc sulphate @ 25
kg/ha in irrigated conditions.

Irrigation management
Pre-flowering (45-60 DAS) and pod filling stages appear to be the most sensitive to soil
moisture stress. Depending upon the initial moisture content, winter rains and sowing time, the
schedule may vary. Kabuli chickpea needs a little more irrigation. Chickpea should not be
irrigated at flowering stage otherwise flower drop may take place.

Weed management
The dominant weed flora associated with chickpea crop are Chenopodium album, Melilotus
indica, Lathyrus aphaca, Medicago denticulata, Trigonella polycerata, Polygonum pblebilium,
Asphodelus tenuifolius, Euphorbia dracunculoides and Anagallis arvensis. The initial four to
eight weeks are most critical for weed competition and the first mechanical weeding has been
advised 25-30 DAS, and the second 45-50 DAS. However, in case of severe infestation, a third
weeding may be needed around 70-75 DAS. Chemical weed control with pre-sowing
Fluchloralin application @ 1.0 kg per ha followed by one hoeing 45 DAS has been effective.
Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i. per ha as pre-emergence followed by one hand weeding at 45 DAS
provide effective control of annual broad leaved and grassy weeds in chickpea crop.
Nipping
It is the process of plucking the apical buds of the crop at about 30-40 days after sowing
to control excessive vegetative growth. Nipping stops the apical growth and promotes the lateral
branching, thus the plants become more vigorous and produce more flowers and pods and yield
per plant is increased.
Diseases management
Ascochyta Blight (Ascochyta rabiei): This disease appears on leaf blade, petioles, flowers, pods,
branches and stem in the form of brown spots. Fruiting bodies of the pathogen (pycnidia) are
produced on the spots in the form of concentric rings which is the characteristic symptoms of the
disease. The lesions are circular on leaves and pod whereas elongated on stem and branches. Pod
infection leads to seed infection through testa as well as cotyledons. Disease spreads rapidly in
the field and field gives the burnt appearance.The disease is both externally and internally seed
borne. The secondary spread of the disease takes place by winds, storms and rain splashes.
Destruction of disease debris, deep summer ploughing and crop rotation reduces diseases. For
control of blight seed treatment with Bavistin or Captan @ 2.5 g/kg seed and spray of Dithane
M-45 @ 0.2% at the initiation of the disease.
Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. Ciceri ): The disease appears on 3-6 weeks old seedlings in
susceptible varieties. In early stages, seedlings may collapse due to disease, where as older
seedlings show drooping of the leaves and dull green color in the initial stages. Petioles, rachis
and leaves turn yellow and become straw colored. Discoloration of xylem vessels can be seen
when roots are split open. For the control of wilt deep ploughing during the summer months and
destruction of diseased debris. Crop rotation with non leguminous crop and do not sow the crop
before 10th of October. Seed treatment with Bavistin @ 2.5 g/kg seed. Seed treatment with
Trichoderma viride (Bioderma) @4g + Vitavax @1g by making a paste in 5 ml of water per kg
seed is also effective.
Root Rot or Collar Rot (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani Sclerotium rolfsii): The symptoms
are sudden and complete wilting of the plants. The disease appears at any crop stage. The initial
symptom appear as dark brown spots around the stem at the soil level by R. solani, whereas in
case of F. solani, spots are yellowish in color. Later on leaves of infected plants turn yellow and
ultimately plant wilts. Infested soil and diseased debris spread from infested fields, help in spread
of the disease. Seed treatment with Bavistin @ 2.5 g/kg seed is advised for its control.
Insect management
Termites (Microtermos obesus): Termites damage the crop from sowing to maturity. The
damaged plants dry up completely and are easily pooled out. The damage is generally more in
low irrigated light soil areas. For control treat the 100 kg seed with 850 ml Monocrotophos 36SL
or 1500 ml Clorpyriphos 20 EC make the total solution of 2 litre by adding water and then after
spreading the seed on polythene sheet or floor, mix solution with seed.
Cut worms (Agrotis sp.): The caterpillar of this pest are polyphagus in nature and causes the
damage by cutting the stem or branches of growing shoot. For control spray 200 ml Fenvalrate
20 EC or 125 ml Cypermethrin 25 EC or 225 ml Decametharin 2.8 EC by mixing in 500 litre of
water per acre hectare.
Pod borers (Helicoverpa armigera): The borers of this pest are greenish or yellowish in
appearance, which generally feed on the leaves, buds and pods. These completely destroy the
crop by eating the grains developing in size of the pods. For control spray 1 liter Quinalphos 25
EC or 1 kg Carbaryl 50 WP or 500 ml Monocrotophos 36 SL or 200 ml Fenvalerate 20 EC or
300 ml Cypermetharin 10EC or 375 ml Decametharin in 250 litre of water per acre hectare as
and when average one catterpiller per metre row length of plants at 50 % pod formation stage is
noticed. Repeat second spray after 15 days.
Harvesting, Threshing and Yield
In north Indian plains, crop matures in 150-160 days, whereas in central and south zone
crop matures in 120 to 125 days. Crop becomes ready for harvest when leaves turn reddish-
brown and start shedding. Plants are either plucked out by hand or cut with sickle. The crop is
allowed to dry in sun and on threshing floor in about 5-6 days. Therefore, threshing is done
either by beating the plant with stick or by trampling under the feet of bullocks. A well managed
deshi chickpea yields about 20-25 q grain/ha, while Kabuli types yield 25-30 q/ha under irrigated
conditions. Under rainfed conditions, the crop yields 30-50% of that of irrigated crop.