Enhancing Nutrient Content and Uptake in Chickpea through Phosphorus and PSB Inoculation in Custard Apple Based Agri-horti System

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2018-19 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying levels of phosphorus and inoculation with Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on nutrient content and uptake in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in a custard apple-based agri-horticultural system. The experimental design employed a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and twelve treatments, resulting in a total of 36 plots. The treatments ranged from different levels of phosphorus and PSB inoculation, denoted as T1 to T12. The study assessed the impact of these treatments on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content in grain and straw, as well as their uptake by chickpea. Findings reveal that higher PSB levels and phosphorus applications led to increased nitrogen and phosphorus content and uptake in both grain and straw, demonstrating a significant synergistic effect. Conversely, potassium content and uptake exhibited limited response to PSB inoculation. Moreover, protein content and yield in grain and straw significantly improved with these treatments.