Performance of different Mesorhizobium strains on nodulation, grain, straw yield and soil fertility status of chickpea

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted in the Pulses Improvement Project MPKV, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar during 2012-13 to 2014-15 in randomized block design with three replications The results indicated that the highest grain yield (2684 kgha-1) and straw yield (2912 kgha-1) was recorded in T9, Mesorhizobium + PSB3 (Rahuri- Reference strain), which was at par with T5, Mesorhizobium + ORE 35 (Hisar) grain yield (2568 kgha-1), straw yield (2766 kgha-1). The maximum number of nodules (54.10 /plant) were observed in T9, Mesorhizobium + PSB3 (Rahuri- Reference strain), which was followed by T5, Mesorhizobium + ORE35 (Hisar) number of nodule (49.82), T7, Mesorhizobium + PSB12 (Ludhiana) (49.30), T8, Mesorhizobium + PSB (Pseudomonas striata) (Gulberga) (47.01).The higher dry weight of nodules was recorded in T9, Mesorhizobium + PSB3 (Rahuri- Reference strain) (1044.8 gm/plant) which was at par with T5, Mesorhizobium + ORE35 (Hisar), (982.6 mg/plant) T7, (982.4 mg/plant), T8, (975.7 mg/plant).The maximum organic carbon content (0.60%), Available nitrogen was (210.6 kgha-1), available phosphorous (16.67 kgha-1), and phosphorous uptake (39.42 kgha-1) was observed in T9, Mesorhizobium + PSB3 (Rahuri- Reference strain).