Another major area where pulse production can be improved is under
irrigated conditions. Because of availability of short duration
varieties of pulses including redgram majority of pulses can be
fitted into annual rotations.
|
|
The potential evapotranspiration of Chickpea crop ranged from
200-280 mm, depending on the crop season. Although, most of
the chickpea crop in India is grown on moisture conserved in
the soil from the rain received prior to planting, the crop
responds favourably to supplemental irrigation. |
|
|
Irrigation during the pre-flowering period (at the early stage
of vegetative growth on soils having low water holding capacity
and at late vegatative phase on heavier and deeper soils) and
at early pod filling stage results in increasing yields. |
|
|
Irrigation improves the nodulation and increase the yield
by increased pod number/plant. |
| Soil Moisture |
|
|
Being a rabi crop, gram is raised on the moisture conserved
in the soil during the monsoon and is, therefore, subjected
to deficiency thereoff in unfavourable seasons. |
|
|
Likewise, not too infrequently, excess moisture may be equally
harmful as the crop may be affected not only by lack of aeration
but also by poor nodulation and low rhizobial activity. |
|
|
Improved cultural practices, like bunding, land levelling,
adoption of proper dry farming practices, stirring the soil
to improve infiltration, etc, are therefore necessary. |
|
|
Bunding and stirring the soil with the desi plough in the
rainy months increases the yield of gram. |
|
|
Stirring with a spring-tine harrow was as effective as that
with the desi plough. |
Irrigation
The crop is irrigated once or twice only when the soil gets
much dried up in November or December. Further irrigation may
not be needed. While irrigating necessary care should be exercised
that there should not be waste stagnation. |
