Cicer arietinum Yellow Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Nitrogen Deficiency

Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient; when lacking, the plant translocates it from older leaves to new growth, causing chlorosis starting at the bottom of the plant. This is common in chickpea crops grown in nitrogen-depleted soils.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Observe if yellowing begins on the oldest, lowest leaves while newer leaves remain green.

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1 Apply a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer to the soil to replenish depleted nutrients and stop the chlorosis from spreading to new growth.

Back to the Roots Blood Meal & Gypsum (4 Pack)

Organic Fertilizer

$40

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2 Incorporate organic matter like worm castings into the soil to improve long-term nutrient availability and soil health.

Back to the Roots Organic Worm Castings 5lb

Worm Castings

$17

In Stock

3 Monitor soil moisture levels using a moisture meter to ensure that nitrogen is being effectively transported to the roots without causing waterlogging.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

In Stock

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Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri)

This soil-borne fungal pathogen invades the vascular system, obstructing water and nutrient flow. This leads to progressive yellowing of leaves followed by wilting, often appearing first on one side of the plant.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Cut a stem near the base and check for internal brown discoloration in the vascular tissue.

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1 Immediately remove and destroy the infected plant and any surrounding debris to prevent the soil-borne fungus from spreading to healthy chickpeas.

2 Sterilize all gardening tools, such as your pruning shears, with alcohol to avoid transferring the pathogen to other plants.

Fiskars 5/8" Bypass Pruning Shears

Cutting Tools

$13

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3 Avoid planting chickpeas in this soil for several seasons, or amend the area with organic matter like worm castings to improve soil health and suppress pathogens.

Back to the Roots Organic Worm Castings 5lb

Worm Castings

$17

In Stock

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Waterlogging / Poor Soil Drainage

Chickpeas are highly sensitive to excess moisture; saturated soils create anaerobic conditions that cause root hypoxia. This prevents oxygen uptake, leading to generalized leaf yellowing and eventual plant death.

Common

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How to confirm: Check the soil moisture levels at a depth of 5-10cm and inspect for standing water in the field.

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1 Immediately improve soil drainage by incorporating perlite or coarse sand into the growing medium to increase aeration and prevent root hypoxia.

2 Check the soil moisture levels using an analog meter to ensure the root zone is not remaining saturated for extended periods.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

In Stock

3 Ensure the plant is in a container with adequate drainage holes and use a saucer to catch excess water, emptying it promptly to avoid waterlogging.

Bleuhome 10" Plant Saucer 6-Pack Black

Pot Saucers

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Iron Chlorosis

High soil pH (alkaline conditions) can render iron unavailable to the chickpea plant despite its presence in the soil. This results in interveinal chlorosis where veins stay green but leaf tissue turns yellow.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the yellowing is specifically localized between the veins of very young, top leaves.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Lower the soil pH by applying an acidifying amendment to make iron more bioavailable to the roots.

FoxFarm Happy Frog Acid Loving Plant Fertilizer

Organic

$22

In Stock

2 Monitor soil moisture levels closely using a moisture meter to ensure the soil does not become too alkaline or waterlogged, which can exacerbate nutrient lockout.