Combined Effect of Rhizobium, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria and Azotobacter Inoculation on Nodulation, Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Chickpea Under Amended Alkali Soil

A field experiment on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) was conducted for three consecutive years to study and evaluate the effect of symbiotic N2 fixing bacteria (Rhizobia) with and without symbiotic N2 fixer (Azotobacter) and P solubilizing bacteria an chickpea grain yield, crude protein content, N, P uptake as also changes in chemical characteristics of amended alkali soil. The treatment comprised of 8 treatments i.e. T1 control with no inoculation T2, Azotobacter inoculation T3 P.S.B. inoculation, T4 Rhizobia, inoculation, T5 Rhizobium +PSB, T6 Rhizobium + Azotobacter T7 Azotobacter + PSB, T8 Rhizobium + PSB+ Azotobacter. Three years observation clearly revealed significantly high nodulation and grain yield were recorded in combined inoculation treatment (Rhizobium +PSB+ Azotobacter). Even seed inoculation with Rhizobium and PSB alone, could significantly increase the nodule dry weight plant–1 and grain yield of chickpea. Similar observations were recorded in terms of crude protein and uptake of nutrients (N and P). Combined inoculation of chickpea seeds not only increased crop yield significantly but improved soil property in term of pHs ECe dsm–1) and ESP.