Response of Chickpea (Cicer aritienum L.) to Sulphur and Zinc Nutrients Application and Rhizobium Inoculation in North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, multiple plant nutrients deficiency besides nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is a major growth-limiting factor for crop production. As a result, some soils become non-responsive for Rhizobium inoculation besides P application. Based on the soil test result, the soil of Experimental sites had low organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn)[xy1]. Hence, an experiment was carried out on-farm at Gondar Zuria woreda in Tsion and Denzaz Kebeles to evaluate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation, S and Zn application on yield, nodulation, N and P uptake of chickpea. The experiment included twelve treatments developed via factorial combination of two level of inoculation (Rhizobium inoculated, un-inoculated), three level of S (0, 15, 30 kg Sulphur ha-1) and two levels of Zn (0, 1.5 kg Zinc ha-1). The treatment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that the highest mean nodule number (15.3) and nodule volume (1.3 ml plant-1) over locations were obtained with Rhizobium inoculation integrated with 15 kg S and 1.5 kg Zn ha-1 which resulted in 37.8% and 116.7% increment over the control check, respectively. It was also observed that combined application of Rhizobium and 30 kg S ha-1 caused the highest (6.7) mean nodulation rating and seed yield (1775.5 kg ha-1) over locations which resulted in 86.1% and 28 % increase over the control check, respectively. Moreover, this treatment improved P use efficiency of chickpea. On the bases of observed result, it can be concluded that the response of chickpea to Rhizobium and P application can be improved by S application and Rhizobium inoculation with application of 30 kg S ha-1 with recommended rate of P and starter N is recommended for chickpea production at the experimental locations in Gonder Zuria Woreda.

Response of Different Level of Phosphorus, Zinc and Rhizobium Inoculation on Growth Yield Attributes and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer aretinum L.)

“…All the interaction effect were found non-significant. These results are in close conformity with those of Pathak et al [31], Karwasra and Kumar [32], Khan et al [33], Das et al [34], Straw [35], Surendra R. [36], Woldearegay et al [37] and Pal et al [38].…”

Combination Effects of Sulfur Fertilizer and Rhizobium Inoculant on Photosynthesis Dynamics and Yield Components of Soybean

“…Several field studies have demonstrated that the application of sulfur in conjunction with nitrogen in soybean fields has resulted in a significant increase in seed yield. Moreover, the application of S fertilizers and rhizobium inoculants is an important agronomic practice to improve legume crop productivity [14][15][16]. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of S fertilization or rhizobium inoculation on soybean yield and reported positive impacts [17,18].…”