Pulses such as chickpeas, lentils and various beans play an important role in guaranteeing nutritional security while also contributing to soil health through biological nitrogen fixation. 

Despite their relevance, pulse crops have historically shown lower productivity compared to cereals. This has largely been due to their cultivation under rain-dependent conditions, limited use of quality inputs, and reliance on traditional farming practices. 

In recent years, the increasing availability of irrigation facilities, along with the adoption of modern farming techniques, has helped overcome many of these constraints. Together, these factors have contributed to more stable yields and improved productivity in pulse cultivation.

Although pulses are generally considered drought-tolerant, they require adequate soil moisture at critical stages of growth to achieve optimum yields. Flowering and pod formation are particularly sensitive phases. Moisture stress during these stages often leads to flower drop, poor pod setting and reduced grain filling, ultimately lowering yields. Irrigation........

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