Comparative Study of Liquid Biofertilizers on Germination Dynamics and Seed Quality of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital global legume crop, particularly crucial for food security and enriching soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, contributing to sustainable agriculture. However, factors like uneven germination and weak early growth limit stand uniformity and final yields. Seed priming using biofertilizers, which contain plant growth-promoting microorganisms like Rhizobium, PSB, KSB, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas., etc, is an eco-friendly pre-sowing treatment that enhances nutrient uptake, nitrogen fixation and seedling vigour. This study assessed the influence of eight different biofertilizer seed priming treatments along with control and Thiram, on germination dynamics and seed quality parameters in the chickpea variety KGD-1168. The evaluated parameters included standard germination, speed of germination, seeding vigour indices (I and II), and nutritional quality, specifically protein, Methionine, and Tryptophan content. Results indicated that the Rhizobium + PSB consortia (T8) was the most effective treatment, significantly affecting the variety KGD-1168. T8 recorded maximum standard germination (98.4%) and the highest germination value (85.36). Furthermore, T8 exhibited superior seedling growth, yielding the maximum seedling length (25.32 cm) and the highest Seedling Vigor Index-I (2475.31). This superior performance is linked to the synergistic action of nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-mobilizing microbes, which accelerate metabolic activation and root development. T8 also maximized essential amino acids, recording the highest Methionine (1.66) and Tryptophan (1.33) content. The investigation concludes that Rhizobium + PSB bio-priming is recommended for optimizing seed treatment practices to achieve better early crop establishment and enhanced nutrient quality in chickpea.