Combined Effect of Rhizobium, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and Azotobacter Inoculation on Nodulation, Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Chickpea Under Amended Alkali Soil

Abstract

A field experiment on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) was conducted for three
consecutive years to study and evaluate the effect of symbiotic N2 fixing bacteria (Rhizobia)
with and without symbiotic N2 fixer (Azotobacter) and P solubilizing bacteria an chickpea
grain yield, crude protein content, N, P uptake as also changes in chemical characteristics of
amended alkali soil. The treatment comprised of 8 treatments i.e. T1 control with no
inoculation T2, Azotobacter inoculation T3 P.S.B. inoculation, T4 Rhizobia, inoculation, T5
Rhizobium +PSB, T6 Rhizobium + Azotobacter T7 Azotobacter + PSB, T8 Rhizobium +
PSB+ Azotobacter. Three years observation clearly revealed significantly high nodulation
and grain yield were recorded in combined inoculation treatment (Rhizobium +PSB+
Azotobacter). Even seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB alone, could significantly
increase the nodule dry weight plant–1
and grain yield of chickpea. Similar observations were
recorded in terms of crude protein and uptake of nutrients (N and P). Combined inoculation
of chickpea seeds not only increased crop yield significantly but improved soil property in
term of pHs ECe dsm–1
) and ESP.