Effect of dual inoculation of Pseudomonas argentinensis LPGPR1 and Mesorhizobium on growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The field experiments were conducted during rabi 2010–11 and 2011–12 to evaluate the synergistic effect of application of Mesorhizobium (MR) and native rhizobacterium Pseudomonas argentinensis (LPGPR1) in chickpea. Dual inoculation of Mesorhizobium with P. argentinensis (LPGPR1) improved seed emergence, growth characters, symbiotic traits, N and P content and grain yield in chickpea as compared to existing Mesorhizobium recommendation. On an average Mesorhizobium inoculation, increased the grain yield by 7.9% over uninoculated control. Application of dual inoculant (MR+LPGPR1) enhanced the grain yield by 5% over Mesorhizobium alone treatment and by 12.9% over uninoculated control. Application of Mesorhizobium (LGR33) and rhizobacterium (LPGPR1) gave higher returns of Rs 3220/- as compared to Mesorhizobium alone treatment.