Effect of Cutting Chickpea at Different Level on Green Fodder and Seed Yield under Rainfed Condition

Field experiments were conducted during 1993-94 and 1994-95 to determine the effect of removing the top growth at different level on green fodder and seed yield of chickpea c.v. NIFA-88. Seed yield was significantly reduced by cutting the top growth while production of green fodder obtained according to the cutting level produced a maximum green fodder but lowest seed yield. The green fodder yield was maximum during 1994-95 as compared to the fodder yield obtained during 1993-94. It may be the result of uniform rainfall distribution during the crop growing season and bumper vegetative growth of the crop during 1994-95. The maximum grain yield of 2483 and 2263 kg/ha were obtained from the uncut/ungrazed crop during 1993-94 and 1994-95 respectively. Also plant height, number of pods per plant were reduced and the maturity was delayed by cutting as compared to solid crop apart from seed weight.