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A field experiment was conducted for the duration of the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Research Farm, Sage University, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), to investigate the influence of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth and yield performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) variety JG 315. The experiment was designed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with twelve treatments and three replications. Results showed that the best nutrient management strategy for enhancing chickpea growth, yield and quality attributes was the combined application of 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 + Rhizobium. Among the various treatment combinations, the treatment T7 (100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1+ Rhizobium) was recorded the highest values for plant height (56.17cm), number of branches/plant (4.17) and leaf area (70.15 cm²). The lowest values were observed under treatment T1 (Control). However, in terms of yield and quality characteristics, treatment T7 (100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 + Rhizobium) was recorded the highest values for number of pods per plant (57.89), number of grains per pod ( 2.85), seed index (19.83 ), grain yield (2358 kg ha-1), straw yield (3273 kg ha-1), harvest index (41.87 %), protein content (22.03%) and BC ratio (3.52). The lowest values were observed under treatment T1 (Control). The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on the quality, yield, growth, and profitability of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The findings indicated that the most effective treatment was the combination of 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 + Rhizobium, which led to superior growth, yield, quality parameters and economic returns. The integration of organic, inorganic and biofertilizer sources demonstrated the sustainable nutrient management strategy for enhancing chickpea productivity.

Keywords: Chickpea, Vermicompost, Rhizobium, Yield and Protein content