EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) UNDER SCARCITY ZONE OF ANDHRA PRADESH.

The article explores the impact of different nutrient management practices on the growth and yield of chickpea in Andhra Pradesh, India. By integrating seaweed extract and Rhizobium with 75% of the recommended fertilizers, significant improvements were observed in plant height, number of branches, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, number of pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and seed yield. These findings suggest that integrated nutrient management practices can enhance chickpea cultivation in arid regions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and soil health. The study underscores the potential of bio-stimulants like seaweed extract in combination with traditional fertilizers and biological inoculants for increasing agricultural resilience in challenging environments. [Extracted from the article]