Use of Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Mycorrhizal Fungi Consortium as a Strategy to Improve Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Productivity under Different Irrigation Regimes

Abstract

Climate change prediction indicates an increased likelihood of precipitation variability and droughts in the Mediterranean region. Previous studies demonstrated that microbial symbionts combined with supplementary irrigation could mitigate climate change effects and boost chickpea production in low-fertility soils. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of inoculation with a consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis geosporum and Claroideoglomus claroideum) on growth, grain yield and crude protein content of chickpeas under the following irrigation regimes: I1-no water stress, I2-moderate water stress, I3-strong water-stress, I4-no water stress in critical growth stages of plant cycle development and I5-severe water stress). Plants irrigated only during the critical growth stages of flowering and pod filling showed higher grain yields compared to plants from other water deficit irrigation treatments. Additionally, chickpeas co-inoculated with PGPR and AMF, and irrigated only during critical growth stages, presented higher grain yield than non-inoculated plants without water stress (1.45- and 1.33-fold increase in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Inoculation with beneficial microorganisms and supplemental irrigation at critical stages benefits chickpea growth and should be considered for increasing crop productivity and promoting agricultural sustainability.

Prioritization of Physio-Biochemical Selection Indices and Yield-Attributing Traits toward the Acquisition of Drought Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

“…A positive correlation between high early vigor and plant yield was already established [ 36 , 37 ]. According to earlier studies, irrigation application had beneficial impacts on phosphate solubilization, microorganism activity, crop growth, and development in chickpea cultivars [ 38 , 39 ]. Another report elaborated that irrigation supplementation significantly enhanced the numbers of nodules and seed yield in chickpea [ 22 , 40 ].…”

Optimizing chickpea growth: Unveiling the interplay of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobium for sustainable agriculture

“…Moreover, the spatial and/or sequential association of different genera of rhizobacteria and AMF can provide customized benefits to roots within their microenvironment. For example, it has been revealed that certain rhizobacterial strains belonging to the Proteobacteria class, such as Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp., and Mesorhizobiu m sp., predominantly showed close association with AMF in the chickpea rhizosphere (Laranjeira et al., 2022).…”

“…These symbionts have significant potential to not only improve the productivity but also enhance the quality of Chickpea under deficit conditions. This association increased protein content by 3.9%–19.1% compared with non‐infectious plants of chickpea under water deficit conditions (Laranjeira et al., 2022). Furthermore, under moderate water deficit conditions, the symbiotic associations with Mesorhizobium mediterraneum, Rhizophagus irregularis , and their combination ( Mesorhizobium mediterraneum + Rhizophagus irregularis ) have demonstrated the potential to enhance the chickpea growth and improve crude protein content by 13%, 17%, and 22%, respectively (Oliveira et al., 2017).…”

“…The consortium of rhizobium and mycorrhiza exhibited increased plant height, root dry matter, shoot dry matter, and leaf chlorophyll content by 23.5%, 27.2%, 60%, and 41.3%, respectively, under controlled conditions (Malekian et al., 2019). This symbiotic combination also significantly improves the seeds pod −1 , leading to an improved grain yield (Erman et al., 2011; Laranjeira et al., 2022; Oliveira et al., 2017). Furthermore, the presence of Glomus intraradices as a symbiont with chickpea showed remarkable improvement in plant biomass, nutrient acquisition, and allocation of carbohydrates, directing them towards maximizing reproductive yield (Garg & Cheema, 2021).…”

“…On the other hand, the mycorrhizal route entails the quick absorption and movement of nutrients by fungal transporters to the plant root cortex via the intraradical mycelium (Bücking & Kafle, 2015;Garg & Cheema, 2021;Pang et al, 2023). The symbiotic relationship between AMF and chickpea plants is known to induce the expression of various transporters, including aquaporin (AQ) genes, Pi transporters (PT), ammonium transporter (AMT), nitrate transporter (NT), K + transporter (2 HKTs, 6 KEAs, and 15 KUP/HAK/KTs), K + channels (8 Shakers and 5 TPKs), sulphur transporter, Zn transporter, carbon/hexose transporter, protein transporter, among others (Abd-Alla et al, 2019;Azeem et al, 2018;Bonfante & Genre, 2010;Deokar & Tar'An, 2016;Donskaya & Donskoy, 2021;Garg & Cheema, 2021;Laranjeira et al, 2021Laranjeira et al, , 2022Negussu et al, 2023;Palit et al, 2020;Thudi et al, 2021) (Figure 2). This discovery has led to extensive research on the nutritional aspects of symbionts, both at the physiological and molecular levels Smith & Smith, 2012;Zhang et al, 2024).…”