Response of Fertility Levels and Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield Attributes Quality of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Crop

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on agricultural research form with split plot design in four main treatments: F1 (control), F2 (100% recommended dose of fertilizer-RDF), F3 (75% RDF), and F4 (50% RDF), and three sub-plot treatments: B1 (Rhizobium + PSB), B2 (Rhizobium + PGPR), and B3 (Rhizobium + PSB + PGPR), each replicated three times. Growth parameters such as plant height and dry matter accumulation were significantly influenced by both fertility levels and biofertilizers. Chickpea plants showed higher growth parameter values and root parameter when treated with 100% RDF (F2). Similarly, biofertilizer treatments, particularly Rhizobium + PSB + PGPR (B3), followed by 75% RDF (F3). Root dry weight per plant was significantly affected by both fertility levels and biofertilizers across all growth stages except at 30 days after sowing (DAS). The number of pods per plant and the number of seeds per pod were significantly influenced by both fertility levels and biofertilizers at all growth stages except at 30 DAS and in the case of 100 seed weight. Chickpea plants treated with 100% RDF (F2) exhibited higher values for both the number of pods per plant and the number of seeds per pod.