Rabi Harbhara (Chickpea) Sowing Guide: High-Yield PDKV Varieties, Seed Inoculation, and Nipping Techniques

As Kharif crops like soybean and green gram (moong) are cleared from fields in October, farmers across Maharashtra prepare for the flagship Rabi pulse crop: Harbhara (हरभरा / Chickpea / Gram). With heavy black cotton vertisols retaining residual monsoon moisture, chickpea is the most reliable winter crop for Vidarbha, Khandesh, and Marathwada.

However, many farmers experience significant yield dips due to delayed sowing, improper seed rate, severe wilt infection, or lack of critical winter irrigation.

By adopting university-tested varieties from Dr. PDKV (Akola) and MPKV (Rahuri) alongside balanced fertilization, farmers can comfortably harvest 10 to 14 quintals per acre under irrigated conditions.

Top Chickpea (हरभरा) Varieties for Maharashtra & Vidarbha

1. Optimal Sowing Window and Land Preparation

Timing of sowing determines whether chickpea escapes terminal heat stress during February:

• •Sowing Window:
• •Dryland (जिरायती): October 10 to October 25 (utilize remaining profile moisture).
• •Irrigated (बागायती): October 20 to November 10.
• •Avoid Late Sowing: Sowing after November 20 exposes the crop to high temperatures during pod filling, resulting in shriveled grains.
• •Spacing: 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants. For mechanical harvesting varieties like Phule Vikram, maintain 30 × 10 cm.
• •Seed Rate:
• •Medium seeds (JAKI-9218, Vijay): 25 to 30 kg per acre.
• •Bold seeds (Digvijay, Kabuli): 35 to 40 kg per acre.

2. Seed Treatment (बीजप्रक्रिया): The Three-Step Golden Rule

Never sow untreated chickpea seed. Follow the FIR (Fungicide -> Insecticide -> Rhizobium) sequence:

1. 1.Fungicidal Protection: Treat 1 kg seed with *Trichoderma viride* @ 5 g/kg OR Carbendazim + Mancozeb (Saaf) @ 2 g/kg to protect against seed rot and collar rot.
2. 2.Bio-fertilizer Inoculation: Dissolve 250 grams of Rhizobium culture and 250 grams of Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) in 1 liter of cooled jaggery water (गुळाचे पाणी), mix gently with 10 kg of seeds, and dry in shade for 1 hour before sowing.
3. 3.Root Nodulation: Rhizobium fixes up to 30–40 kg atmospheric nitrogen per hectare, saving on chemical urea.

3. Balanced Basal Fertilization

Chickpea is a legume and can fix its own nitrogen, so excessive urea application causes excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowering.

• •Basal Dose per Acre:
• •10 kg Nitrogen (N)
• •20 kg Phosphorus (P2O5)
• •10 kg Potassium (K2O)
• •8 kg Sulphur (S) — Essential for pulse protein synthesis.
• •Practical Fertilizer Bag Equivalent: Apply 1 bag (50 kg) of Single Super Phosphate (SSP) + 15 kg Urea + 15 kg Muriate of Potash (MOP) as basal placement at the time of sowing.

4. The Nipping (शेंडा खुडणे) Technique

When chickpea plants reach 20 to 25 cm height (around 25–30 days after sowing): - Pluck the tender apical buds (terminal 2-3 cm) using fingers or a light trimmer. - Impact: This halts upward vegetative growth and forces the plant to sprout 6 to 10 productive secondary branches, dramatically increasing pod count. - Culinary Benefit: Plucked tender chickpea tops (हरभऱ्याची कोवळी भाजी) are widely consumed and sold in local village markets as a nutritious winter green.

5. Irrigation Management: Avoid Over-Watering

Chickpea is extremely sensitive to waterlogging. Flood irrigation can cause instant wilt death.

- Only 2 to 3 Light Irrigations Needed: 1. First Irrigation: At pre-flowering stage (30 to 35 DAS). 2. Second Irrigation: At pod formation stage (60 to 65 DAS). - Strictly Avoid Irrigation During Full Flowering: Applying water during peak flowering leads to massive flower drop. Use sprinkler irrigation for 1.5 to 2 hours per shift for gentle wetting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why is JAKI-9218 the most trusted chickpea variety in Vidarbha? A1: Released by Dr. PDKV Akola, JAKI-9218 has unmatched adaptability to Vidarbha's deep black clay soils, exceptional resistance to Fusarium wilt, and bold grain that fetches top prices in Akola and Washim mandis.

Q2: Can I harvest chickpea with a combine harvester? A2: Yes, but only with erect varieties like Phule Vikram or PKV Kabuli-4 whose lowest pods develop at least 15 cm above the ground surface.

Q3: How to manage pod borer (घाटेअळी) in chickpea organically? A3: Install 5 pheromone traps per acre, plant marigold (झेंडू) as a trap crop every 10 rows, and spray 5% NSKE (Neem Seed Kernel Extract) at the start of podding.

Sources and Authoritative References - Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola — Rabi Pulses Advisory: pdkv.ac.in - Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri — Pulses Department: mpkv.ac.in - Commissionerate of Agriculture, Maharashtra State: krishi.maharashtra.gov.in - Last Updated: September 2026