EFFECTS OF RHIZOBIUM, MOLYBDENUM, BORON AND LIME ON CHICKPEA

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at a farmer’s field of Kazipara village under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila during 2006 to see the effect of Rhizobium, molybdenum, boron and lime on chickpea (var. BARI Chola-5). Texturally the soil was sandy loam having 4.75 p", 1.81 organic matter, 0.12 % total N), 51.1 ppm P, 22.6 ppm S and 1.1 ppm B contents. The highest plant height (17.1 cm), number of nodules (3.67/plant), number of pods (43/plant) and seed yield (1.28 t/ha) were observed with the treatment containing all ie. TSP, boron, lime, sodium molybdate and Rhizobium. Seed priming with water only (along with TSP + borax) also showed better performances in producing plant height and number of plants per plant. A major objective was to develop an application method suitable for resource-poor farmers whether Mo and Rhizobium could be added in the seed priming process. This trial confirmed that this was as effective as soil application of Mo + Rhizobium giving significant yield response. Economic evaluation suggested that the treatment consisting lime was suitable for obtaining higher rate of return. The results further showed that liming is necessary for chickpea cultivation in the Ruhea Soil Series of Thakurgaon district. Further study is needed to achieve a definite conclusion.