Studying the Effect of Different Fertilizers Types and Methods of Application on Nodulation, Growth and Yield of Some Chickpea Varieties Under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in Sharya-Duhok area, Iraqi Kurdistan region under rainfed conditions during the season of 2018-2019 to study the nodulation status, growth and yield performance of two local varieties of chickpea (Shamy and Marakshy) in relation to three different fertilizers types and methods of application i.e. bio fertilizer (Corabac G) and seed priming in super phosphate 2% and Diammonium phosphate (DAP) in addition to control treatment. The experiment was designed by Randomized complete block design with four replications. The results clearly showed significant reduction in both number and dry weight of nodules per plant in fertilizer treatment as compared to untreated (control treatment), except seed priming in super phosphate 2% as it significantly enhanced the nodule dry weight displaying non responding of chickpea to soil fertilization in regards of nodules development. However the final seedyield was not significant in the study, but its highly correlated to the above ground biomass (r =0.74**) and number of seeds per plant (r = 0.33*); Shamy variety of chickpea was superior in number of branches, number of pods and seeds per plant, while the Marakshy variety was superior in the plant height, height of lowest pod, and weight of seeds. Regarding fertilizers treatments effects, both seed priming in super phosphate and DAP fertilizer treatments were significantly surpassed in number of branches, pods and seeds per plant. Shamy variety performed better in number of branches and seeds per plant with DAP fertilizer, while Marakshy produced the same traits better in seed priming treatment. Bio-fertilizer (Corabac G) was inferior in most of the studied traits of chickpea. Accordingly, the obtained results conclude that the nodulation in chickpea not respond to the soil application of fertilizers, while positively to seed treatment (priming). The results also suggest both method of fertilization (DAP and seed priming) for improving yield related componets, but Corabac G bio fertilizer is not recommended under similar conditions.