Potassium and Rhizobium application to improve quantitative and qualitative traits of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Abstract In an effort to improve plant growth and productivity by increasing the amount of N2-fixation, a two-year field experiment was designed to study the combined effect of potassium and two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum (L-1897 and L-2097) on quantitative and qualitative traits of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Bacterial inoculation and potassium application (0 kg K ha-1 and 50 kg K ha-1) caused measurable changes in the observed characteristics in both years of study. In addition to growth characteristics, chemical- and bio-fertilizer treatments also affected the nitrogen and potassium concentration in seeds and seed protein content. Yield and yield characteristics improved more with the combined application as compared with a single treatment and control. Among the bacterial strains, L-1897 along with potassium fertilization resulted in highest yield. We conclude that optimum potassium fertilization is required for the favorable and sustained action of Rhizobium to influence growth characteristics and qualitative traits and hence, yield and yield components.