EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZERS INOCULATION METHODS AND SOME FOLIAR APPLICATION TREATMENTS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF PEA PLANTS

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at a Private Farm near Aga, Dakahlia Governorate during two successive winter seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 to investigate the effect of bio-fertilizers inoculation method, some foliar application treatments and their interactions on vegetative growth characters, chemical constituents, yield and quality traits of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Four inoculation methods of bio-fertilizers (mixture of Rhizobium leguminosarum, Bacillus megatherium and Bacillus circulans) , i.e, without inoculation, seeds inoculation pre-sowing, soil inoculation after germination and dual inoculation (seeds plus soil) and four foliar application treatments (control, seaweed extract at 2.5 ml/l, ascorbic acid at 200 ppm and yeast extract at 5 g/l). The data were recorded for yield and its components (pod length, pods weight/plant, No. of pods/plant, No. of green seeds/pod, weight of 100 green seeds and total yield/ fed.). Chemical constituents (N, P and K%) in leaves and pods. Pods quality (carbohydrates, crude protein, reducing, non reducing sugar and total sugar). Obtained results showed that dual inoculation (seeds pre-sowing and soil after germination) combined with yeast extract as a foliar application surpassed other treatments in yield and its components, pods quality parameters and chemical constituents of leaves and pods.