Effect of seed inoculation with indigenous Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on nutrients uptake and yields of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Indigenous symbiotic N2-fixing bacteria, Rhizobium leguminosarum BHURC04 (Cicer sp.) was found significantly better for nodulation, plant growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) var. C-235 over control in a field trial. Its synergistic relationship was evaluated with different PGPR strains under glasshouse and field experiments. The highest significant number and dry weight of nodules root and shoot dry weight plant−1, yield of grain and straw and uptakes of N and P by chickpea were recorded due to combined inoculation of R. leguminosarum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa over uninoculated soil and treatment with R. leguminosarum alone. This co-inoculation involved direct mechanism of more nodulation and N2 – fixation caused by R. leguminosarum where as improved acquisition of P and Fe caused by P. aeruginosa. Also, indirectly by production of phytohormone (IAA) by both of these microorganisms which stimulated the growth of host plant. P. aeruginosa, and suppressed plant diseases like wilt and root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cicer and Rhizoctonia solani, respectively. Therefore, a combination of R. leguminosarum and P. aeruginosa could be more effective for higher grain yield of chickpea as compare to individual or co-inoculations of R. leguminosarum (Cicer sp.) with Bacillus megaterium or Azotobacter chroococcum.