400
B. Abirami and P. Kumar
pea, black gram, green gram, lentil and field pea. During 2017–18, cultivated area
under pulses was greater than 29 million ha and had the highest production of 25.23
million tonnes with productivity level of 841 kg/ha. Major pulses producing states
in India are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh (Pulses Revolution from Food Security to Nutritional Security, Government of India, 2018). The
highest ever production in 2017–18 was recorded by chickpeas with a production of
11.23 million tonnes at a productivity level of 1063 kg/ha. Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) locally known as chana, Bengal gram or gram is the traditional pulse crop
grown in South Asia, mainly in India, Pakistan, Iran, Mexico and Ethiopia. Around
95% of the total annual production (8.4 million tonnes) of chickpeas occurs in Asia
and Africa (FAOSTAT 2006). The major chickpea producing countries include India
(65%), Pakistan (10%), Turkey (7%), Iran (3%), Myanmar (2%), Mexico (1.5%) and
Australia (1.5%). It is ranked third in production after peas and dry beans. It is grown
as winter crop in tropical regions and summer crop in temperate regions in both rain
fed and irrigated conditions. It is grown as rotation crop after cereals like wheat, rice,
etc., as they derive 70% of its nitrogen requirement through nitrogen fixation thus
enriching the soil fertility.
World’s chickpea supply mostly comes from India which contributes about 30%
of total pulse acreage for chickpeas cultivation. In developing countries like India,
where the poor people are not able to afford animal proteins, chickpea comes in
handy as a supplement. There are two major types of chickpeas namely Desi and
Kabuli. Desi types are traditional dark smaller seeds with rougher coat and relatively
high yielding and low cost of production and low unit price. Kabuli varieties were
introduced during 18th century and they are larger light coloured seeds with smoother
coat and relatively low yield (Pulses.org, 2019).
Chickpeas cultivation requires fertile sandy, loamy soils as they are neutral to alkaline with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 9.0 and they have very good water holding capacity.
Good internal drainage is an essential requirement as excessive water logging even
for short periods will result in decreased yield. It requires daytime temperatures of
70–80 °F and night time temperatures of 64–70 °F. Chickpeas consumption by people
with diabetes can improve blood sugar levels. High fibre content also improves digestion. The mineral and vitamin contents such as iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium,
manganese, zinc, vitamin-K helps in strengthening the bone structure. The mineral
selenium which is not present in fruits and vegetables is found in chickpea which
decreases tumour growth rates helping in prevention of cancer. Chickpeas consumption also helps in maintaining blood pressure, heart health, cholesterol, inflammation
etc.
Chickpeas play an important role in maintaining soil fertility by fixing up to
141 kg nitrogen per ha. (Rupela 1987). Nitrogen fertilizers are the major reason for
the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As these crops fix nitrogen by
their relationship with bacteria, they either require less nitrogen fertilizers or do not
require nitrogen fertilizers at all. Thus, it helps the soil microorganisms to flourish
thus improving the soil fertility. This makes the soil fertile and the crop suitable for
B. Abirami and P. Kumar
pea, black gram, green gram, lentil and field pea. During 2017–18, cultivated area
under pulses was greater than 29 million ha and had the highest production of 25.23
million tonnes with productivity level of 841 kg/ha. Major pulses producing states
in India are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh (Pulses Revolution from Food Security to Nutritional Security, Government of India, 2018). The
highest ever production in 2017–18 was recorded by chickpeas with a production of
11.23 million tonnes at a productivity level of 1063 kg/ha. Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) locally known as chana, Bengal gram or gram is the traditional pulse crop
grown in South Asia, mainly in India, Pakistan, Iran, Mexico and Ethiopia. Around
95% of the total annual production (8.4 million tonnes) of chickpeas occurs in Asia
and Africa (FAOSTAT 2006). The major chickpea producing countries include India
(65%), Pakistan (10%), Turkey (7%), Iran (3%), Myanmar (2%), Mexico (1.5%) and
Australia (1.5%). It is ranked third in production after peas and dry beans. It is grown
as winter crop in tropical regions and summer crop in temperate regions in both rain
fed and irrigated conditions. It is grown as rotation crop after cereals like wheat, rice,
etc., as they derive 70% of its nitrogen requirement through nitrogen fixation thus
enriching the soil fertility.
World’s chickpea supply mostly comes from India which contributes about 30%
of total pulse acreage for chickpeas cultivation. In developing countries like India,
where the poor people are not able to afford animal proteins, chickpea comes in
handy as a supplement. There are two major types of chickpeas namely Desi and
Kabuli. Desi types are traditional dark smaller seeds with rougher coat and relatively
high yielding and low cost of production and low unit price. Kabuli varieties were
introduced during 18th century and they are larger light coloured seeds with smoother
coat and relatively low yield (Pulses.org, 2019).
Chickpeas cultivation requires fertile sandy, loamy soils as they are neutral to alkaline with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 9.0 and they have very good water holding capacity.
Good internal drainage is an essential requirement as excessive water logging even
for short periods will result in decreased yield. It requires daytime temperatures of
70–80 °F and night time temperatures of 64–70 °F. Chickpeas consumption by people
with diabetes can improve blood sugar levels. High fibre content also improves digestion. The mineral and vitamin contents such as iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium,
manganese, zinc, vitamin-K helps in strengthening the bone structure. The mineral
selenium which is not present in fruits and vegetables is found in chickpea which
decreases tumour growth rates helping in prevention of cancer. Chickpeas consumption also helps in maintaining blood pressure, heart health, cholesterol, inflammation
etc.
Chickpeas play an important role in maintaining soil fertility by fixing up to
141 kg nitrogen per ha. (Rupela 1987). Nitrogen fertilizers are the major reason for
the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As these crops fix nitrogen by
their relationship with bacteria, they either require less nitrogen fertilizers or do not
require nitrogen fertilizers at all. Thus, it helps the soil microorganisms to flourish
thus improving the soil fertility. This makes the soil fertile and the crop suitable for