The effects of inoculation by various rhizobium strains on the nodulation and grain yield of some chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. ) cultivars in Hatay region

ABSTRACT PhD THESIS THE EFFECTS OF INOCULATION BY VARIOUS RHIZOBIUM STRAINS ON THE NODULATION AND GRAIN YIELD OF SOME CHICKPEA (Cicer arietinum L.) CULTIVARS IN HATAY REGION CAHİT ERDO?AN DEPARTMENT OF FIELD CROPS INSTITUTE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF ÇUKUROVA Supervisor :Prof. Dr. Yusuf KIRTOK Year:2002, Pages: 168 Jury : Prof. Dr. Yusuf KIRTOK : Prof. Dr. Ahmet Can ÜLGER : Prof. Dr.A. Emin ANLARSAL : Prof. Dr. Mehmet KILINÇ : Yrd. Doç. Dr. Şaban YILMAZ This research was carried out to investigate nodulation, yield and yield components, and the nitrogen and/or the protein content at the different phenological stages of 3 chickpea varieties (İzmir-92, Aydın-92 and Menemen-92), inoculated with 3 various Rhizobium strains (CP-31, CP-36 ve CP-39) during 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 growing seasons in Hatay ecological conditions. There was no difference among varieties and Rhizobium strains, in relation to grain yield, in both growing seasons. However, "variety x bacteria" interaction affected significantly grain yield. Thus, it is suggested that İzmir-92 should be inoculated with CP-36 and Menemen-92 with CP-31 strain. Stage of grain maturity comprised more protein/nitrogen content than other phenological stages. Therefore, it was concluded that chickpea required more nitrogen at the flower-pod setting stage. Key Words: Chickpea, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Inoculation, Rhizobium