Field Evaluation of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae (Rhizobial Strains) Inoculated to Vicia faba L. (faba bean) Cultivars under Nitisol and Chromic Vertisol of Central Highland of Ethiopia

Abstract

Faba bean varieties and rhizobial strains were tested on two sites of central highland of Ethiopia during the 2016-2017 cropping season to investigate their interaction effect across years and soil types. The treatments were factorial combinations of three potential varieties of faba bean (Dosha, Moti and Walki) with prospective indigenous rhizobial strains (FBW-145, FB-15 and EAL-110) along with 18 kg N ha -1 and negative control and laid in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. Results showed that strain interaction with variety (V×S) could give statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) and economically profitable grain yield difference at Chiri Nitisol condition. Accordingly, Moti × EAL-110, Dosha × FBW-145, Dosha × EAL-110, and Walki × FBW-145 were the most superior pairs in terms of economic profitability and agronomic productivity at Chiri. Their respective relative grain yields were 45, 26, 21, and 16% and value cost ratios (VCRs) were 101, 66, 44 and 42, respectively. Year (rainfall amount and distribution, and farm) showed superior nodule number per plant (NNPP), hundred seed weight (HSW) and grain yield change at both soil types. The study generally confirmed that Nitisol of Chiri requires compatible faba bean cultivar and rhizobial strain but not at Vertisol of Kersa Werko. Keywords : Grain yield, Interaction, Rhizobia, Variety DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-18-01 Publication date: September 30 th 2020