Effect of rhizobial inoculation on growth, yield, nodulation and biochemical characters of vegetable pea ( Pisum sativum )

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted with 8 genotypes of vegetable pea and 3 levels of rhizobial inoculation for two consecutive years. Inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum @ 20 g kg −1 seed made the plants taller and enhanced biomass production through branching, but delayed maturity. It resulted in more pods, enlarging them to contain more seeds, leading to higher test weight and enhanced harvest index. It increased nodulation, the benefit of which was reflected in most of the yield traits. It also enriched the seeds with nitrogen and protein, as well as activating nitrogenase enzyme in the root nodules to fix more atmospheric nitrogen.