Effect of combined application of Rhizobium, phosphate solubilizing bacterium and Trichoderma spp. on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of chickpea (Cicer aritenium L.)

The effect of a combined inoculation of Rhizobium, a phosphate solubilizing Bacillus megaterium sub sp. phospaticum strain-PB and a biocontrol fungus Trichoderma spp. on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of chickpea were studied under glasshouse and field conditions. Combined inoculation of these three organisms showed increased germination, nutrient uptake, plant height, number of branches, nodulation, pea yield, and total biomass of chickpea compared to either individual inoculations or an uninoculated control. Increased growth and yield parameters were more pronounced when T harzianum-PDBCTH 10 was inoculated along with the phosphate solubilizing bacterium and Rhizobium. Studies on population dynamics in the rhizosphere showed, there was no significant inhibition between the introduced organisms. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.