Kharif Chickpea: A New Crop for the Western Maharashtra

Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) crop is widely cultivated throughout India primarily in the rabi season (October-February). However, there is a very good potential of growing it in the Kharif season (June–August) in Western Maharashtra because of the average temperature ranging between 20 and 30 °C with average rainfall of 200–250 mm during June to August with well-drained soil are available for Kharif chickpea flowering and pod setting. Thus, suitability of both the critical components of chickpea cultivation, i.e., rainfall and temperature, makes it possible for Kharif chickpea cultivation in the region. Preliminary investigations, which were carried out to explore feasibility of Kharif chickpea, have enabled us to identify some of the promising chickpea genotypes such as IPC06-11, ICE 15654-A, JG-11, Vishal, JG-16, ICCV 92944, JG-14, ICC 4958 and Vijay. Studies also revealed that Kharif chickpea can be harvested by 60–70 days under rainfed condition. The raw green pods yielded about 3.0–3.5 t ha −1 while the raw green plants with pods yield ranged between 11 and 13 t ha −1 .Thus, Kharif chickpea has advantages such as additional yield and income within a short duration, seed production and rapid generation advancement/speed breeding. In addition, it can be used as vegetable purpose. However, there is a need to bridge the knowledge gaps with respect to adaptability, cost benefit ratio, extension and policy to promote Kharif chickpea.