Impact of inorganic fertilizer and Rhizobium inoculation on nodulation, underground, and aboveground traits of wild chickpea

Authors : Fatma Başdemir, Murat Tunç, Sibel İpekeşen, Behiye Bicer

Pages : 716-728

Doi:10.29050/harranziraat.1762650

View : 105 | Download : 192

Publication Date : 2025-12-17

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Wild Cicer species represent an important genetic resource, but their symbiotic efficiency with Rhizobium under different nutrient regimes has rarely been studied. Whereas, these nutrient regimes are needed to contribute to the more effective use of these species in agricultural production by playing a decisive role in nodule formation and yield increase. Therefore, this study was needed to fill this gap and to provide findings for reducing chemical fertilizer dependency through sustainable chickpea production. This field study investigated the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and various inorganic fertilizers, i.e., diammonium phosphate (DAP 18-46 %), urea (46 %), and triple superphosphate (TSP 44 %) on nodule formation and growth parameters of two wild Cicer accessions, Cicer reticulatum and C. echinospermum. The experiment was conducted in Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye during spring season of 2019. Results revealed significant species × treatment interactions across numerous parameters. Rhizobium inoculation consistently promoted nodule formation, biomass accumulation, and overall growth in C. reticulatum, with the highest values recorded for nodule fresh (1.66 g) and dry (0.34 g) weights, number of nodules (144.33), plant height (32.67 cm), fresh total biomass (20.65 g), fresh stem (7.70 g) and root (3.64 g) weights, number of leaves (122.33), and total dry weight (4.01 g). Conversely, C. echinospermum exhibited more nuanced responses; while urea increased its nodule number, DAP treatment consistently led to reduced nodulation, biomass, and overall growth in this species. Cicer echinospermum performed best under control conditions for total dry weight, suggesting potential sensitivities to particularly to nitrogen-based fertilizers such as urea and ammonium nitrate, as well as phosphorus fertilizers including diammonium phosphate. These findings underscore the species-specific requirements of wild Cicer accessions for optimal nodulation and growth. Cicer reticulatum benefited from Rhizobium symbiosis, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices that leverage biological nitrogen fixation. In contrast, C. echinospermum appears sensitive to conventional inorganic fertilizer, i.e., DAP.
Keywords : Cicer arietinum, Nodul oluşumu, Fosfor, Rhizobium, Azot

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