Effect of foliar application timing of different bio-stimulants on growth, quality and nutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh

The present investigation was conducted at Kalaghat Agriculture Farm of Shoolini University, Solan during rabi season of 2023-24 to study the Effect of Foliar Application Timing of Different Bio-Stimulants on Growth, Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Mid Hills of Himachal Pradesh. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction with EC in safe range, high organic carbon and phosphorus, medium available nitrogen and potassium. The field experiment was laid out in Split plot design assigning three time of foliar application in main plot comprising of (G₁) Pre-flowering, (G₂) Pod initiation and (G₃) Pre-flowering + Pod initiation and Bio-stimulants in sub-plot viz. (B₁) Vermiwash @ 10% solution, (B₂) Cow urine @ 10% solution, (B₃) Jeevamrit @ 10% solution and (B₄) Panchagavya @ 3% solution. Recommended dose of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (30:60:30 kg ha^-1) through urea, SSP and MOP, respectively were applied as basal dose. Himachal Channa-2 variety of chickpea was used for sowing. The results showed that the foliar application of Panchagavya @ 3% solution at Pre-flowering + Pod initiation registered significantly higher crop growth parameters, qualitative characters and nutrient uptake viz. plant height, number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation, number of nodules per plant, dry weight of nodules, protein yield and N, P & K uptake.