TITLE:
Integrated Effects of Rhizobial Inoculum and Inorganic Fertilizers on Wheat Yield and Yield Components
AUTHORS:
Muhammad Adnan, Zahir Shah, Asif Khan, Muzamil Shah, Gohar Ali Khan, Azaz Ali, Nisar Ali Khan, Nouman Saleem, Shah Nawaz, Saba Akbar, Sonia Samreen, Kanwal Zaib
KEYWORDS:
Yield Components, Rhizobial Inoculum, Wheat, Recommended NPK, Inorganic Fertilizer
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.13,
June
30,
2014
ABSTRACT: An experiment was
conducted in pots under natural condition with two factor factorial completely
randomized design (CRD) (CRD) to investigate the integrated effect of rhizobia
inoculums and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of wheat crop at The
University of Agriculture Peshawar, during 2012-2013. The experiment was
comprised of four inoculums (no, lentil, peas and chickpeas) and two NPK levels
(recommended 120:90:60 kg·ha-1 & 20% less of
recommended). It was observed that inoculation of wheat by rhizobia
significantly increased tillers per plant by a maximum of 42%, plant height by
13%, grain per spike by 16%, 100 grain weight by 10%, biological and grain
yield by 10% over un-inoculated (control) treatment. Among inoculums, peas
inoculum was found to be the most efficient for all traits except plant height
where chickpea inoculum performed better. Similarly recommended NPK
significantly increased tillers per plant by 33%, plant height by 19%, grain
per spike by 9%, 100 grain weight by 10%, biological yield by 8% and grain
yield by 10% compared with 20% less of recommended NPK. Interactive effect of
inoculum x NPK was significant for tillers per plant, grain per spike, grain
yield and non-significant for plant height, 100 grain weight and biological
yield. However, it was evident from the results that inoculation improved all
traits both under recommended and 20% less of recommended NPK. The persistent
good performance of peas and lentil rhizobial inoculation in wheat growth
exhibited that this could be used as a plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for
wheat and other cereal crops in prevailing soil and climatic conditions.