Manuring And Fertilization Though pulses are energy-rich crops, they have been cultivated under energy starvation conditions with application of low doses of organic manure and chemical fertilizers resulting in low yields. In some States like Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra, gram is not manured, particularly when the previous crop is manured. A basal dressing of F.Y.M. is provided in the black soils of Andhra Pradesh and in the loamy soils of West Bengal and Gujarat at a rate of 10, 4 and 5 cart loads, respectively. Total uptake of nitrogen by a Chickpea crop has been estimated to vary 60-145 kg/ha, depending upon growing conditions of the crop. Positive response to starter nitrogen dressing of about 15-25 kg N/ha was observed in soils of low fertility status and poor in organic matter. Symbiotic N fixation apparently seems to be effective enough in most of these areas to meet the major nitrogen need of the crop. In areas where nodulation has been either very poor or has been completely failed, significant response to increasing rates of N application have been obtained. Soil and foliar application of more N reduced the symbiotic N-fixation. Phosphorus uptake has been found to range from 5 to 10 kg/ha depending upon crop growth conditions. In contrast at several places no positive response to P was found even in soils testing medium the available phosphorus is too low. No response to phosphorus might be due to high phosphate-fixing capacity of soil. Lack of response to P concludes that Chickpea might be more efficient in uptake and utilization of soil phosphorus. Application of phosphate is rare except in loamy to heavy loam soils of the Punjab. The sources of P2O5 viz dicalcium phosphate and superphosphate, were found to be equally efficient. In general, application of phosphate fertilizers increased the yield of Cicer in Andhra, Bihar, Delhi, Mysore, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat. Potash manuring was found be to be injurious to this crop under Pusa conditions. It was found that application of P2O5 stimulated vegetative growth, seed setting and seed size, but not the time of flowering and maturity. Chickpea when grown on high PH soils rich in calcium carbonate, show typical symptoms of iron defieciency. The deficiency can be corrected by a foliar spray of 0.5% W/V ferrous sulphate solution near the beginning of reproductive growth and a fortnight later. Zinc deficiency that observed can be corrected by a foliar spray of 0.5% W/V Zinc sulphate solution or apply 25 kg Zinc sulphate/ha. Micro-Nutrients Application of molybdenum increases the grain yield. Copper, Manganese and Zinc also having a favourable effect on the crop when applied in combination.

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