Studies on the Root Architecture with Nodulation of the Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as Influence by Different Moisture Management Practices along with Seed Inoculation and Level of Zinc

Abstract

The current field experiment was carried out during Rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Student's Instructional Farm of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh to assess the Studies on the root architecture with nodulation of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as influence by different moisture management practices along with seed inoculation and level of zinc. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with 27 treatment combination comprising three moisture conservation practices namely, flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue, narrow bed and furrow with 2.5 t/ha crop residue, broad bed and furrow with 2.5 t/ha crop residue in main plot and three seed inoculation (control, rhizobium and PSB) in sub-plots and three zinc level (control, 2.5 kg zinc/ha and 5.0 kg zinc/ha) in sub- sub plot with three replication. Results showed that among the different moisture management practices, used of broad bed and furrow with 2.5 t/ha crop residue were significantly enhanced root architecture, nodulation and grain yield, over the flat bed with 2.5 t/ha crop residue, respectively. Among the different Biofertilizers treatments seed inoculation with Rhizobium had significantly improved the root architecture, nodulation and yield, over control. Application of increasing levels of zinc up to 5.0 kg Zn/ha has significant influences on root architecture, nodulation and yield, over control. The combined application broad bed and furrow with 2.5 t/ha crop residue with Rhizobium and 5.0 kg/ha zinc resulted in significantly higher root architecture, nodulation and seed yield of chickpea during both the years of experimentation.