Effect of enriched compost tea and rhizobacteria on nodulation, growth and yield of chickpea in sandy soil [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Two field experiments were conducted in sandy soil at Ismaillia Agricultural Research Station dUring two successive winter-growing seasons of 200412005 and 200512006 to evaluate the effect of enriched compost tea and some rhizbacteria, namely, Serratia sp., Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens on nodulation, growth, yield and some yield components of chickpea plants (Cicer arietinm) inoculated with Rhizobium spp. under drip irrigation system. Also, some chemical and biological properties of the sandy soil after crop harvesting were determined. The obtained results showed that co-inoculation of chickpea with Rhizobium and any of the tested bacterial strains led to a significant increase for the all plant growth parameters in both growing seasons as compared with the uninoculated treatment or Inoculated with Rhizobium alone. Also, all growth parameters significantly responded to foliar application of the enriched compost tea. The highest values of nodular tissues, shoot dry weight, as well as shoot nitrogen and phosphorus contents in both two seasons were obtained by foliar application of the enriched compost tea in combination with co-inoculation with the mixtures of tested bacterial strains and Rhizobium. In addition, results of chickpea yields (seed and straw) and some yield components (100-seed weight and crude protein percentage of seeds) showed a similar trend for the vegetative growth. Moreover, changes occurring in some chemical and biological properties of the sandy soil after harvesting of chickpea confirmed again the superiority of using the enriched compost tea along with such mixed bacterial strains to achieve higher values of organic-C, total-N, available N,P and K with more flourishing in the activity of dehydrogenase in the sandy soil. Currently, it could be concluded that the conjunctive use of enriched compost tea along with such mixed bacterial strains resulted not only in highest and sustainable chickpea crop yield but also enhanced the efficiency of added bacterial strains, as well as fertility status of the sandy soi/.

Summary in Arabic.

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