The Effect of Molybdenum and Iron on Nodulation, Nitrogen Fixation and Yield of Chickpea Genotypes (Cicer Arietinum L)

Abstract

The present study was based on the hypothesis that the applied molybdenum and iron influence the nodulation, nitrogen fixation and yield by chickpea genotypes. For this purpose a field experiment was conducted to study the influence of different levels of molybdenum and iron on the nodulation, nitrogen fixation and yield of chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.) growing two different genotypes such as Desi (sheenghar) and Kabuli (Karak-II) during, 2011-12 at Malakandher Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar. Different levels of molybdenum and iron were applied at the rate of 0, 0.25 and 0.50 and 0, 2 and 5.0 kg ha -1 , respectively along with a basal dose of 25 N, 60 P2O5 and 60 K2O in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. Results revealed that maximum yield and yield parameters, numbers of root nodules and nitrogen concentration were observed in those treatment plots where Mo 0.5 and Fe 2.0 kg ha -1 were applied simultaneously for both genotypes. The grain yield, nodulation and nitrogen concentration were recorded significantly more in Kabuli (Karak-II) as compared to Desi (sheenghar) of chickpea genotypes, perhaps due to the formation of maximum nodulation and nitrogen concentration by plants. Results revealed that with increasing the levels of Mo and Fe in soil, the concentration of Fe and N in plant leaves were significantly increased in both genotypes at flowering stage. Moreover, in the present study the number of nodules were correlated with N concentration of plants for both genotypes and found as the nodules formation increases the plant N concentration linearly increased and showed close relationship with one another. Similarly, the Fe-concentration increases in plant leaves, N-concentration also increases in a similar fashion, indicated that Fe-played a vital role in N-fixation by chickpea genotypes. The present study suggests that the application of Mo 0.5 and Fe 2.0 kg ha -1 is important which play a significant role in getting the maximum yield, nodules and nitrogen concentration in chickpea genotypes.