If soils are deficient, K should be incorporated into the seedbed by whatever method is most convenient for the grower. K fertilizer can be surface-broadcast and plowed down or tilled into the soil. It can also be banded or drilled with the seed. Do not allow direct contact between the seed and the fertilizer because chickpeas are sensitive to the salts in K fertilizers during germination. If heavy applications are required to correct nutrient deficiencies, apply K before or during seedbed preparation.
Potassium fertilizer needs based on a soil test.
Without adequate S, chickpeas are not able to fix enough atmospheric nitrogen to meet the nitrogen needs of the plants. Consequently, soils testing less than 10 ppm SO 4 -S should receive 15 to 20 pounds of S per acre. Avoid using granular elemental S applications on chickpeas because this form of S is only slowly available to the plant and greatly reduces soil pH. Sulfate forms of S fertilizers are readily available and do not acidify soils. Boron need can be determined by a soil test. Soils testing less than 0.5 ppm B should receive 1 to 2 pounds of B per acre.