Optimizing Phosphorus Fertilization and Inoculation in Chickpea and Lentil

Saskatchewan is the world’s largest exporter of lentils and has the fastest expanding acreage of chickpeas. These two drought tolerant pulse crops have been integrated into the farming systems in the semi-arid regions of western Canada as a means of diversifying crop production and improving whole-farm economics. In order to expand our knowledge with these new crops, a three-year project was initiated at two locations in the semi-arid region of Saskatchewan, evaluating the effect of fertilizer P on crop development and grain yields for desi-chickpea, kabuli-chickpea, and lentil grown on soils with a medium level of residual soil P.

When compared to the no-P check treatment, the application of 15 lb P₂O₅/A with the seed did not have an effect on plant density or plant maturity with any of the three crops. The addition of P fertilizer resulted in minor grain yield increases for desi-chickpea (4.5 percent), kabuli-chickpea (2.2 percent), and lentil (2.9 percent). Fertilizer P application improved the harvestability of chickpeas by increasing the plant height by 0.5 inches and by lifting the pod position on the stem by about 0.6 inches. Continued data analysis will determine whether fertilizer P has any effect on the kernel size of kabuli-chickpea, since there is a substantial price premium paid for large-sized (>9 mm) kabuli-chickpea. SK-25F