RESPONSE OF LATE-SOWN GRAM (CICER-ARIETINUM) TO IRRIGATION AND PHOSPHORUS

Response of late-sown gram or chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to 4 level s of irrigation (no post-sowing irrigation, post-sowing irrigation at irrigation depth :cumulative pan-evaporation ratios 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) and phosphorus (0, 8.8, 17.6 and 26.4 kg P/ha) was investigated at His ar in the winter seasons of 1986-87 and 1987-88. The unirrigated plant s had lower leaf-water potential, evapo-transpiration, stomatal conduc tance,light absorption, leaf-area index, yield components and grain yi eld compared with irrigated plants, but had higher canopy temperature. Among yield components, water stress primarily affected the number of pods/m row length and had little effect on grains/pod. P application improved the leaf-water potential, stomatal conductance, light absorpt ion, leaf-area index, seed yield and water-use efficiency and decrease d the canopy temperature. The combination of irrigation water : cumula tive pan-evaporation ratio 0.4 with 26.4 kg/ha gave significantly high er grain yield than other treatments.