Effect of digested distillery spent wash on nodulation, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic activity in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

This work investigated the effect of graded doses and methods of application of digested spent wash on seed germination, nodulation, photosynthetic activity and nutrient uptake in chickpea and on soil properties. Under laboratory conditions, lower concentrations of digested spent wash were not inhibitory to seed germination, whereas higher concentrations led to poor seedling growth and delayed seed germination. However, under greenhouse conditions, seed germination was slightly better at higher concentrations. Increased concentrations of digested spent wash affected the nodulation of chickpea. Irrigation with digested spent wash in pots had an adverse effect on nodulation as compared to its soil application. Lower concentrations of digested spent wash had no detrimental effect on plant growth (shoot length, root length and their weight). The photosynthetic activity of chickpea plants, measured as chlorophyll a fluorescence, was maximum at 10% and 100 m3 ha−1 of digested spent wash, while a decrease was observed at higher concentrations. With an increase in the concentration of digested spent wash, there was a decrease in N and P uptake by chickpea plants. No significant difference was observed in soil pH, but the EC, organic carbon and total N and P contents of post-harvest soil increased with an increase in the concentration of digested spent wash.