Plant growth and protein ratio of spring sown chickpea with various combinations of rhizobium inoculation, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation under rainfed condition

Abstract

In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of different combination of rhizobium inoculation, nitrogen application and irrigation on nodule dry weight, protein ratio and seed yield of spring sown chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. cv ILC 482). The field experiment was carried out for two consecutive seasons in Van, Turkey in summer growing seasons of 1999 and 2000. All combinations influenced seed yield and yield components, therefore, there were highly significant differences in plant height (cm), number of branches per plant (plant(-1)), number of pods per plant (pods plant(-1)), number of seed per plant (seed plant(-1)), seed yield (kg ha(-1)), and protein ratio (%). The combination of nitrogen (60 kg N ha(-1)) and irrigation had the highest seed yield. Moreover, this combination was followed by the combination of inoculation and nitrogen (20 kg N ha(-1)) and irrigation (In(1)+N(1)+Ir(1)). In contrast, the combination of uninoculation, no nitrogen application and nonirrigation (In(0)+N(0)+Ir(0)) had the lowest seed yield. Moreover, the results obtained from the combination of inoculation, nitrogen (20 kg N ha(-1)) and irrigation was comparable to that of the combination of nitrogen (60 kg N ha(-1)) and irrigation for seed yield. Therefore, the combination of inoculation and nitrogen (20 kgN ha(-1)) and irrigation treatment can be use instead of the combination of nitrogen (60 kg N ha(-1)) and irrigation in chickpea production for achieving higher seed yield in rainfed condition. It is concluded, that nitrogen or inoculation has superior performance in seed yield and protein ratio under irrigation compared to those of nonirrigation conditions.