Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens in manganese uptake by chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars infected by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) is one of the most dominant pulse crops in India, which contributes 38 percent of the area and 50 percent production of pulses compare to the total pulse production of India. Chickpea contains protein-2.1%, carbohydrates-61.5%, and fat-4.5% and more iron, calcium and niacin content. The main constrain of chickpea production due to parasitic nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) is about 14% of total global production in annual yield loss. Pseudomonas fluorescens is a bacterial bio-agent that can help in nematode suppression in chickpea plants. This experiment was conducted to experience the differences, if any, in manganese content concerning chickpea inoculated with M. incognita with a combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens as a bioagent, where different treatments of nematode, bacteria, and chemicals are used sustaining the enhancement of disease resistance in chickpea cultivars RSG 974, GG 5, GNG 2144. The total manganese content of chickpea variety GNG 2144 was found highest in treatment, where only bacteria (P. fluorescens) was inoculated, i.e., 6.44 mg/100g of a root, followed by GG 5, i.e., 5.63 mg/100g of root and RSG 974 was, i.e., 4.14 mg/100g of root respectively. Application of Pseudomonas fluorescence combined or alone gradually increased the manganese concentration in roots of chickpea plants i.e., RSG 974 (4.14 mg/100g), GG 5(5.63 mg/100g), GNG 2144 (6.44 mg/100g) compared to the health check.