Ecological Implications of Foliar Zinc and Iron Application on Growth Dynamics and Sustainable Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The physico-chemical analysis of agricultural soil revealed a textured sandy loam at the surface (0–15 cm), with low organic carbon content (0.42%) and moderate levels of nitrogen (157 kg/ha), phosphorus (15.5 kg/ha), and potassium (112.6 kg/ha), under neutral pH conditions (pH 7.4). The chickpea variety PG-186 was used to evaluate the impact of nutrient treatments on plant performance and agroecological outcomes. Experimental findings demonstrated a significant influence of various treatments on the growth, yield, and economic returns of chickpea cultivation. The treatment comprising 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) along with foliar application of 0.6% ZnSO₄ and 0.9% FeSO₄ at pre-flowering and pod development stages (T8) resulted in the maximum plant height (15.5 cm, 33.7 cm, 45.0 cm), dry matter accumulation (27.5 g, 245.2 g, 1006.7 g/m²), and number of branches per plant (3.47, 5.00, and 8.63) at 45, 75, and 105 Days After Sowing (DAS), respectively. This treatment also resulted in the highest grain yield (21.00 q/ha) and stover yield (38.67 q/ha), along with a maximum net return of ₹95,392/ha and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 2.32. From an ecological standpoint, this study highlights the vital role of balanced and targeted nutrient management in enhancing agroecosystem productivity while maintaining ecological balance. The integration of micronutrient foliar sprays not only boosts nutrient uptake efficiency and plant health but also reduces dependency on excessive chemical fertilizers, thereby mitigating potential negative impacts on soil ecology. Overall, the findings underscore the ecological importance of optimizing nutrient inputs in legume-based cropping systems to foster sustainable agricultural practices that align with ecological resilience, soil health preservation, and environmental stewardship.