Effects of Inoculation of Sinorhizobium ciceri and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria on Nodulation, Yield and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Shoa Robit Area

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2006/07 growing season to assess the effects of inoculation of Sinorhizobium ciceri and phosphate solubilizing bacteria on the performance of chickpea variety” DZ-10-11” in Shoa Robit area, Ethiopia. Three levels of NP fertilizer and four levels of inoculants were used for the experiment. Treatments were laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial combination with three replications. The result of this study revealed that inoculation of Sinorhizobium ciceri alone increased dry matter yield by 156.58% and nodule number by 117.96% over the control whilst the addition of 18/20 kg NP ha-1 as urea and DCB resulted in 149.6% increase of dry matter yield and 143.6% increase in nodule number per plant over the uninoculated control. There was also a marked increase in nodule dry weight (200%), as a result of Sinorhizobium ciceri+ 18/20 kg NP ha-1 as urea and DCB, indicating the importance of phosphorus for nodule tissue development. Similarly inoculation of Pseudomonas sp.+ 18/20 kg NP ha-1 as urea and DCB also increased nodule dry weight, nodule number, nodule volume and seed yield by 240%, 188.52%, 151.81% 142.95% respectively over the control, indicating the efficiency of the bacteria in solubilizing phosphate in DCB. On the other hand inoculation of Sinorhizobium ciceri+ Pseudomonas sp. with 18/20 kg NP ha-1 as urea and DCB increased nodules number per plant by 208.8% and nodule dry weight by 220% and nodule volume by 221.24%, dry matter by 172.09% over uninoculated control at mid flowering stage of chickpea. Similarly inoculation of Sinorhizobium ciceri+Pseudomonas sp. With 18/20 kg NP ha-1 as urea and DAP increased nodule number, nodule dry weight, nodule volume and dry matter by 271.59%, 220%, 241.97%, 181.40% respectively over uninoculated control at mid flowering stage.