Application of SLF to study the growth parameters of chickpeas

Abstract

Chickpeas are an important food crop consumed worldwide due to their high nutritional value. Since seaweed Liquid Fertilizers (SLFs) greatly enhance the production and yield of crops and are environment-friendly, the present study aimed to assess the impacts of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) obtained from brown seaweed Cystoseira indica (Thivy et Doshi), Mariha 1968, on the growth and yield of Desi and Kabuli Chickpeas. The SLF was tested in five concentrations: 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. Growth parameters, including shoot and root lengths, plant height and weight, number of buds, flowers, and pods, and the average weight of pods were recorded. Results show that lower concentrations enhanced all parameters studied in both varieties of chickpeas, while the least positive results were observed in the 5% concentration. The study concludes that C. indica can be used as a potential source of SLF for better growth and yield of both varieties of chickpeas.