Impact of soil oxygenation on seed quality of chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> Linn. cv. ‘vijay’) under organic farming condition

Abstract

Pot culture experimentation was carried out on chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> Linn. cv. ‘vijay’) at P.G. Research Center, Department of Botany, Tuljaram Chaturchand College, Baramati, using oxygenated peptone (2g/pot) as soil aerator. This treatment enhanced root system with increased length and biomass of root exhibiting increased absorptive area. This led to increase in total nitrogen, total phosphorous and total potash in root, stem and leaf. The treatment also increased accumulation of manganese, calcium and magnesium in root, stem and leaf, while zinc content was found to be decreased in root as well as in stem and it was stable in leaf. Interestingly, iron content was enhanced in leaf and root while it showed decrease in stem. The copper content was increased in root, stable in stem and decreased in leaf. The treatment resulted in early flowering and early maturity. There was increase in pods/plant as well as fresh wt and dry wt of 100 pods. The same is seen in seeds. The biochemical constituents of seed like total solids, ash, total acids, moisture content and crude fibre showed significant increase. The treatment also had an upper hand in soluble proteins, total carbohydrates and ascorbic acid under experimental condition. This indicated better nutritional quality of experimental seeds. The activity of enzymes like catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase was at higher level under the treatment condition. It is concluded that treatment of oxygenated peptone is useful for the qualitative and quantitative enhancement in chickpea under organic farming condition.