African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6913

Full Length Research Paper

Increasing efficiency of seed inoculation with bio-fertilizers through application of micronutrients in irrigated chickpea

T. C. Poonia
  • T. C. Poonia
  • Pulses Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362 001, Gujarat, India.
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M. S. Pithia
  • M. S. Pithia
  • Pulses Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362 001, Gujarat, India.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 12 January 2014
  •  Accepted: 16 June 2014
  •  Published: 15 July 2014

Abstract

The present study was aimed to determine the efficiency of different combinations of seed inoculation with micronutrients [Ammonium Molybdate: (NH4)6Mo7O24) and cobalt sulphate: CoSO4] on chickpea plant height, nodule count and seed yield. The experiment was carried out for three consecutive winter seasons from 2010 - 2011 to 2012 - 2013 in Gujarat State of India. The inoculation treatments influenced significantly the chickpea plant height, nodules/plant and therefore, the seed yield. Application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + ammonium molybdate (2.0 g/kg seed) + Rhizobium (Mesorhizobium ciceri) + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB species Bacillus subtilis) recorded significantly highest chickpea plant height (40.9 cm) and nodules/plant (26.5) and remained equivalent with application of RDF + ammonium molybdate (2.0 g /kg seed) + CoSO4 (2.0 g /kg seed) + Rhizobium + PSB. In contrast, RDF without inoculation (control) had the lowest chickpea plant height (37.4 cm) and nodules/plant (21.0). Significantly, the highest chickpea seed yield (1882 kg/ha) was produced with combination of RDF + ammonium molybdate (1.0 g/kg seed) + Rhizobium + PSB over control (1538 kg/ha) and remained equal with RDF + ammonium molybdate (2.0 g/kg seed) + Rhizobium + PSB (1832 kg/ha) and RDF + Rhizobium + PSB (1805 kg/ha) and produced 22.4, 19.1, and 17.4% more seed yield over control, respectively.

 

Key words:       Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), cobalt, molybdenum, Mesorhizobium ciceri, Bacillus subtilis, yield.