Nodulation studies on chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

Glasshouse and field experiments were conducted with chickpea (Cicer arietinum) rhizobia to determine the inoculation requirements of this highly Rhizobium-specific legume. There did not appear to be any host-strain specificity within the species. There was a strong nodulation response to inoculation with four strains (unaffected by time of sowing) even at a level of inoculant application below normal. In some field experiments, nodulation responses were not reflected in improved foliage dry matter production or seed yield. However, the correlations between degree of nodulation and plant growth and seed yield were significant. There was a distinct advantage in using solid inoculant applied in the row with the seed instead of conventional seed inoculation when fungicide-treated chickpea was being sown. Two strains, CB1189 and CC1192, were considered suitable for inoculants.