Effect Of Rhizobial Inoculation On Nodulation And Yield Of Chickpea (Kabuli)

Abstract

Native soil rhizobial populations are insufficient in N2-fixation. Rhizobium seed inoculation may be used to replace
expensive N fertilizers and give a valuable method of achieving long-term productivity. In soils with no/weak
bacterial presence, seed inoculation of chickpea with an effective and importunate rhizobial strain is essential to
supply an adequate rhizobial population in the rhizosphere and has shown a positive effect on nodule number and
mass, growth, yield, and other attributes compared to un inoculated ones. The purpose of this research was to see
how rhizobium inoculation affected nodule development and chickpea plant growth, and also to find the interaction
effect of different genotypes on nodulation and yield of chickpea (kabuli). Three field experiments were carried out
during three consecutive rabi seasons of 2011-2012-2013 and 2013-14 at pulses research institute, Faisalabad,
Pakistan. Five genotypes of chickpea (Kabuli) such as K-060062, K-60054, K-06006, K-07008, and Noor-2009 were
tested with and without rhizobium inoculation. The basal dose of NPK (25-60-0kg) was applied. Peat-based rhizobia
inoculum was used for inoculation treatment. The Rhizobium strain was diazotroph inoculate. The experiment was
laid out (RCBD). Results show that inoculated plants gave significantly higher nodule numbers, number of branches,
number of pods, and grain yield. All varieties performed better in different growth parameters but maximum grain
yield was produced in line K60054. It was concluded that with Rhizobium inoculation, chickpea growth was
enhanced. The findings of this research suggest the use of rhizobium inoculation in low Nitrogen soil.