Effects of Rhizobium, arbuscular mycorrhiza and whey applications on some properties in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under irrigated and rainfed conditions 1-Yield, yield components, nodulation and AMF colonization

The study aimed to determine the effect of whey application, the inoculation of Glomus intraradices Shench&Shimith and Mesorhizobium ciceri on root colonization, nodulation, yield and the components of yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L cv. Aziziye-94) under rain-fed and irrigation management. Experiments were carried out in a split plot design with four replications in 2003 and 2004. The above-mentioned factors were all applied to plants in single, double and triple combinations. The effect of irrigation was significant, with the heaviest yields being obtained under this treatment. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) inoculation, alone or in combination with other treatments, was very effective under rain-fed conditions, resulting in large increases in yield, root colonization and phosphorus content of the seed and shoot. On the other hand, rhizobial inoculation increased significantly all traits examined, particularly root nodulation and the nitrogen content of seeds and shoots under irrigated conditions. Whey combined with AMF significantly increased root colonization while its combination with Rhizobium increased the number of nodules. Combinations of two or three treatments were more effective than individual applications. The greatest yield, root colonization and nodulation were obtained from the combination of all three treatments under irrigation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.