Care
India is the global leader in chickpea production and acreage. The chickpea is one of the oldest pulse cash crops and has been cultivated in India since ancient times. It is a complete protein source and also offers fiber and other essential vitamins. The chickpea can be made into split pulse (known as Chana Dal), and flour (Besan). Fresh green leaves are used as vegetable while straw of chickpea is an excellent fodder for cattle.
Soil
Chickpea plants can be grown on a wide variety of soils, but sandy loam to slightly clay soil is ideal. Soil should be well-drained because water logging is not suitable for chickpea cultivation. pH level ranging between 5.5 and 7.0 is ideal for growing chickpea. Chickpeas require rough seed bed, and they don’t do well in very fine and compact seedbed.
Climate
The chickpea plants grow very well under good moisture conditions. And the ideal temperatures for growing chickpea is between 24ºC and 30ºC. Although the plants can survive as low as 15 ºC and as high 35 ºC temperature. Annual rainfall of about 650 to 950 mm is ideal.