Response of Chickpea to Phosphorus Fertilization in Four Soil Types of the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Most soils in tropical Africa have low available phosphorus and so, require external inputs of P to achieve moderate yields. Soil characteristic is a major factor that determines crops’ response to P application. In this pot trial, the potential yield of Chickpea achievable in four soil types without P application and with different levels of P addition was assessed. The four soil types; Yamidi, Jahun, Kazaure and Zakirai soils and four P sources: no P (control), 15, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 , applied as single super phosphate (SSP) were factorially combine. The treatments were replicated three times and arranged in completely randomized design. Plant available P was lower than the threshold level of 10mg kg-1 in both Yamidi and Kazaure soils. Conversely, clay content was higher in Yamidi soil while sand content was higher in Kazaure soil. The soil types had significant effects on shoot biomass, grain weight and P uptake. Jahun soil (with highest plant available P) was superior to other soil types. Generally, increasing P rates improved shoot biomass, grain weight and P uptake but the effect was less pronounced for Jahun and Yamidi soils. Chickpea grain yield also exhibited variability in response to P levels in the different soil types. For Kazaure and Jahun soils, application of 30 kg P205 ha-1 and for Zakirai and Yamidi soils, application of 60 kg P205 ha-1 may suffice for optimum grain weight production under the condition of this experiment. To achieve optimum production of Chickpea in these soils, external source of P will be necessary.