Response of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to N, P, and Zn Fertilization in Dryland Conditions: The Advantage of a Low‐Input Fertilization Scenario

The study aimed to optimize the rate of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) fertilization in dryland chickpea. A 2-year study was conducted to analyze the chickpea responses to N (0, 25, and 50 kg ha−1), P2O5 (0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1), and Zn (0, 10, and 20 kg ha−1) using the response surface methodology (RSM) technique. The optimization of fertilizer application was conducted using three approaches: economic, environmental, and economic-environmental (integrated). There was more and better-distributed precipitation in the first year compared to the second year. Increasing the N rate in the first year improved seed yield and increased the content of protein, phosphorus, and zinc in seeds, while the crop's response to N in the second year was lower. Phosphorus improved seed yield in the first year but had no effect on it in the second year. Zn positively affected seed yield in both years. Comparing the optimization methods indicated that the integrated approach was most successful. This approach decreased fertilizer usage significantly compared to the economic approach and resulted in higher seed yield than the environmental approach. According to the integrated approach, the optimal amounts of N, P2O5, and Zn to be used were 26, 16, and 8 kg ha−1, respectively, in the high rainfall year, and 13, 0, and 4 kg ha−1 in the low rainfall year. The findings indicated that by incorporating economic and environmental considerations, a low-input fertilization strategy could be implemented to achieve satisfactory yields in chickpea dryland farming.