Elders say pinching the gram tips increases branching and pods. Want to know the right time and method.
When and how do I nip the tops of chana plants and does it really raise yield?
VVitthal Pawar7mo ago · 276 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Nipping or pinching the growing tips of chana, usually done around 30 to 40 days after sowing when plants are about a hand tall, encourages side branching and can increase the number of pods and yield in good-growth, well-watered crops. It works best where the crop is vegetative and lush; on weak, late or moisture-stressed crops the benefit is small. Do it once, gently, by pinching off the top few centimetres of shoots, and avoid damaging the plant. Response varies with variety and conditions, so try it on a part of the field first and confirm with your KVK.
SSandeep More6mo ago
I nipped one section and left another last year. The nipped plants did branch more and looked bushier. I will do the whole field this time.
BBalasaheb Jadhav6mo ago
Do it on a dry, sunny morning so the cut tips heal quickly, not when the crop is wet from dew or after rain. A neighbour nipped his in damp weather and got some stem rot at the cut points. Choose the right day and it is a clean, simple operation.
GGanesh Deshmukh6mo ago
Remember it only pays if the crop is growing well. My late, moisture-stressed gram showed almost no benefit from nipping, the plants were already small. Save the effort for a healthy vegetative crop with good moisture, that is where you see the extra branches and pods.